That's not what happened
Kody Keplinger
That's not what happened
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kody Keplinger
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What really happened on that terrible day at Virgil County High? Everyone believes Sarah McHale died as a brave Christian hero—but Leanne Bauer was there, and she knows a different story. Will telling the truth change everything?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the aftermath of a school shooting, focusing on the conflicting narratives surrounding one victim's death. It thoughtfully addresses themes of bullying, secrecy, and truth, suitable for readers aged 9-12 but best approached with parental guidance due to the sensitive subject matter. The story encourages critical thinking about how stories are told and remembered.
Why we rated That's not what happened 12IE
That's not what happened is written at a Level 7 reading level across 325 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, That's not what happened works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate That's not what happened 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, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: School Shooting, Bullying.
Thematically, That's not what happened explores bullying, school shootings, secrecy, truthfulness and falsehood, and massacre survivors — 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 bullying, school shootings, secrecy.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338186529
- Pages
- 325
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction