The Alliance
Gabriel Goodman
The Alliance
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gabriel Goodman
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
When Carmen Mendoza discovers a chilling note warning her that she's next, she refuses to be intimidated despite the danger. Jamie's unexpected suicide shakes the community, and only by joining forces can Carmen and Scott navigate the challenges ahead. Together, they form a powerful partnership to face the threats looming over them.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include suicide, bullying, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated The Alliance 8ME
The Alliance is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 108 pages (approximately 14,705 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.9 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Alliance works for readers up to grade 5.9.
Read aloud, The Alliance runs about 1.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The Alliance as 8ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicide, Bullying, Fear & Anxiety, Identity & Self-Discovery.
Thematically, The Alliance explores lgbtq+ representation, friendship, coming of age, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about lgbtq+ representation, friendship, coming of age.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Surviving Southside series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
6/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Surviving Southside Series
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Alliance
Chris Mowry
Alliance
Chris Mowry
Allies
Alan Gratz
Allies
Alan Gratz
The dangerous art of blending in
Angelo Surmelis
The dangerous art of blending in
Angelo Surmelis
Being an Ally
Shakirah Bourne
Being an Ally
Shakirah Bourne
Little Allies
Julie Kratz
Little Allies
Julie Kratz
Be strong and curvaceous
Shelley Adina
Be strong and curvaceous
Shelley Adina
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781467705950
- Pages
- 108
- Publisher
- Millbrook Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 14,705
- Read-Aloud
- ~1h 38m
- Text Density
- Light Text