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The Ashleys

Melissa De La Cruz

Cover of The Ashleys

The Ashleys

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Jealous? (The Ashleys Series, Book 2)

by Melissa De La Cruz

Reading Level 6 11MS Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

The crisp buzz of whispered secrets sweeps through the crowded school hallways, mixing with the sharp scent of fresh perfume and polished shoes. Everyone wants to be the top Ashley, the queen of popularity, but a new website turns friendship into a fierce competition. When alliances shift and secrets surface, who will hold the crown, and who will be left behind?

Themes

FriendshipComing of AgeSocial JusticeSocial Issues - AdolescenceSocial Issues - Peer Pressure

Quick Assessment

This young adult novel explores themes of adolescence, friendship, and peer pressure within a high school setting. It follows Lauren Page as she navigates complex social dynamics among three girls named Ashley, with a focus on popularity and identity. Appropriate for ages 13 and up, the book portrays realistic social challenges but contains no graphic content.

Why we rated The Ashleys 11MS

The Ashleys is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Ashleys works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate The Ashleys as 11MS ("Moderate — Social") 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 social complexity — 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, The Ashleys explores friendship, coming of age, social justice, social issues - adolescence, and social issues - peer pressure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ 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, social justice.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11MS — Moderate — Social
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

256 pages
ISBN
9781416934073
Pages
256
Publisher
Aladdin
Published
April 8, 2008
Type
Fiction

Subjects

Social IssuesAdolescenceFriendshipPeer PressureSocial SituationsYoung Adult FictionTeenage GirlsPopularityJealousyGirls' SchoolsPreparatory School StudentsPreparatory SchoolsClubsSchoolsCliquesWealthSan Francisco