The bodies we wear
Jeyn Roberts
The bodies we wear
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeyn Roberts
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
What if a single drug could change everything you know about yourself and the people around you? Seventeen-year-old Faye faces a world turned upside down by a dangerous addiction that stole her future and the boy she loved. Can she find the courage to fight back before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows seventeen-year-old Faye as she confronts the fallout from a powerful, addictive drug that impacts her community and personal life. Themes include drug abuse, loss, love, and revenge, presented in a way suitable for ages 9-12, though parents should be aware of the mature themes of addiction and loss. The story balances action and emotional depth while encouraging discussions about resilience and consequences.
Why we rated The bodies we wear 12ME
The bodies we wear is written at a Level 7 reading level across 353 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The bodies we wear works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The bodies we wear as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The bodies we wear explores science & nature, adventure, coming of age, friendship, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, adventure, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780385754125
- Pages
- 353
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction