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Teen Suicide

Tamara L. Roleff

Cover of Teen Suicide

Teen Suicide

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Opposing Viewpoints

by Tamara L. Roleff

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 4th 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

The heavy silence of a quiet room fills your ears, broken only by the faint ticking of a clock. Around you, stories unfold—some full of pain, others of hope—as teens face the hardest choices of their lives. The weight of their words lingers, touching hearts in ways you might not expect.

Themes

TeenagersSocial ProblemsMental HealthComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This book explores the sensitive topic of teen suicide through multiple perspectives, offering young readers insight into the complexities surrounding this issue. Intended for ages 13-18, it handles difficult emotions and social challenges with care but may require parental guidance due to its serious themes. The narrative aims to foster understanding and encourage thoughtful conversations about mental health and loss.

Why we rated Teen Suicide 9IE

Teen Suicide is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 108 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Teen Suicide works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Teen Suicide as 9IE ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicide, Death & Bereavement.

Thematically, Teen Suicide explores teenagers, social problems, 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.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about teenagers, social problems, mental health.
  • 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.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9IE — Intense — Emotional
Emotional
Intense
Physical
Clear
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Light

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.

Content Flags

Suicide Death & Bereavement
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
8
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

108 pages
ISBN
9780737703276
Pages
108
Publisher
Greenhaven Press, Incorporated
Published
March 1, 2000
Type
Nonfiction

Genres

Subjects

Suicide, Death & BereavementTeenagersSocial ProblemsPlaysDramaSuicideSocial SciencesSocial IssuesDepression in AdolescenceGay TeenagersSuicidal BehaviorUnited StatesSocial ConditionsAdolescent Psychology