The Ashley Project
Melissa De la Cruz
The Ashley Project
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Social Order
by Melissa De la Cruz
The text is written at a 6th 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
The sharp snap of laughter echoes down the school hallways, mixing with the scent of fresh paint and polished floors. Lauren Page feels the buzz of excitement and the sting of jealousy as she navigates the tricky world of girls' schools and popularity. Every smile hides a secret, and every friendship feels a little fragile—how far will Lauren go to become an Ashley?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of popularity, jealousy, and friendship among teenage girls in a girls' school setting. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers a look at social dynamics and self-discovery without intense content. Parents can expect relatable emotional challenges typical of pre-teen experiences.
Why we rated The Ashley Project 11LE
The Ashley Project is written at a Level 6 reading level across 262 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Ashley Project works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Ashley Project as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The Ashley Project explores friendship, coming of age, family, and social justice — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ 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
11LE — Light — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781442490369
- Pages
- 262
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction