That Was Then, This Is Now
S. E. Hinton
That Was Then, This Is Now
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by S. E. Hinton
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What happens when the people you trust the most start to drift apart? Two sixteen-year-olds who have been best friends forever face tough choices as growing up pulls them in different directions. Can their friendship survive the changes, or is this the end of the road?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the complex dynamics of adolescent friendship and the challenges of growing up. It sensitively addresses themes like family change and responsibility, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the story deals with emotional conflicts and social pressures typical of early adolescence.
Why we rated That Was Then, This Is Now 9ME
That Was Then, This Is Now is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 154 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, That Was Then, This Is Now works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate That Was Then, This Is Now as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, That Was Then, This Is Now explores friendship, coming of age, family, social themes, and adolescence — 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 friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780440986522
- Pages
- 154
- Publisher
- Laurel Leaf
- Published
- October 1, 1989
- Type
- Fiction