Tell Me Three Things
Julie Buxbaum
Tell Me Three Things
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Julie Buxbaum
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The buzz of new voices fills the hallway, mixed with the sharp scent of freshly sharpened pencils and warm cafeteria food. Jessie steps into her new school, feeling the weight of missing her mom and the strange quiet of not knowing anyone. Then, a mysterious email lights up her screen—someone wants to help, but can she trust a stranger in this huge new world?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows sixteen-year-old Jessie as she copes with the loss of her mother and adjusts to life in a new city with a stepfamily. The story sensitively explores themes of grief, moving, and making new friends, with a focus on school social dynamics. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers a thoughtful look at emotional challenges faced by young teens.
Why we rated Tell Me Three Things 12ME
Tell Me Three Things is written at a Level 7 reading level across 336 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tell Me Three Things works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Tell Me Three Things as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Tell Me Three Things explores grief, moving, family, friendship, and school — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about grief, moving, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781536416282
- Pages
- 336
- Publisher
- Random House Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction