The art of feeling
Laura Tims
The art of feeling
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Laura Tims
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 sharp scent of rain mixes with the cold metal of a car’s wreckage, and Sam’s heart pounds with a storm inside her. She’s trapped in a world of hurt and silence, but then Eliot appears—someone who feels nothing at all. Together, they explore how pain can bind two very different hearts in unexpected ways.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of grief, trauma, and healing through the story of Samantha, a girl coping with the loss of her mother in a car accident, and Eliot, a boy who cannot feel physical pain. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book thoughtfully addresses emotional struggles such as depression and trauma in an accessible way, with some references to self-destructive behavior. It offers a sensitive look at how friendship can help navigate difficult feelings.
Why we rated The art of feeling 12IE
The art of feeling is written at a Level 7 reading level across 326 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The art of feeling works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The art of feeling as 12IE ("Intense — 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Depression, Grief, Self-destructive Behavior.
Thematically, The art of feeling explores grief, friendship, depression, trauma, and family — 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, friendship, depression.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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
12IE — Intense — 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
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
- 9780062317353
- Pages
- 326
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction