Suicide Wise
Nicole B. Sperekas
Suicide Wise
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Taking Steps Against Teen Suicide
by Nicole B. Sperekas
Teen Issues (Enslow)
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Exploring the difficult topic of teenage suicide, this book shares powerful stories of young people who have faced this struggle, offering insight into warning signs and ways to support those in need. It encourages understanding and hope while providing critical information to help save lives.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 7-8 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include emotional: loss & grief, emotional: fear & anxiety, emotional: mental health. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Suicide Wise 12IE
Suicide Wise is written at a Level 7-8 reading level across 64 pages (approximately 8,890 words). Strong independent readers around grade 8.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Suicide Wise works for readers up to grade 9.4.
Read aloud, Suicide Wise takes about 59 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Suicide Wise as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Mental Health, Social: Social Issues.
Thematically, Suicide Wise explores social justice, mental health, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about social justice, mental health, coming of age.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 076601360X
- Pages
- 64
- Publisher
- Enslow Publishing
- Published
- May 2000
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 8,890
- Read-Aloud
- ~59 min
- Text Density
- Light Text