The broken boy
Karen Ackerman
The broken boy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Karen Ackerman
The text is written at a 4th 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 happens when you meet someone who seems broken inside? Solly's world changes when he befriends a boy struggling with his own battles. Can their friendship heal the wounds no one else sees?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges of mental health through the eyes of Solly, who befriends a boy facing emotional difficulties. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of friendship and emotional struggles without graphic content. Parents should know it offers a thoughtful look at mental health that can prompt meaningful conversations.
Why we rated The broken boy 9ME
The broken boy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The broken boy works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The broken boy as 9ME ("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: Emotional: Mental Health.
Thematically, The broken boy explores friendship, emotional problems, mental health, and coming of age — 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 friendship, emotional problems, mental health.
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
9ME — 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
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
- 0399222545
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- Philomel
- Published
- 1991
- Type
- Fiction