The dangerous art of blending in
Angelo Surmelis
The dangerous art of blending in
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Angelo Surmelis
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Here’s a secret: Evan’s world feels like a painting stuck in shadows, where silence hides his deepest pain. But then, a friendship sparks something unexpected—something that could change everything. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This coming-of-age novel explores the emotional and physical challenges faced by a 17-year-old boy navigating family expectations, identity, and abuse. It sensitively portrays LGBTQ themes and the impact of domestic abuse while offering an ultimately hopeful message. Recommended for mature teens due to its depiction of emotional and physical abuse.
Why we rated The dangerous art of blending in 12IE
The dangerous art of blending in is written at a Level 7 reading level across 336 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dangerous art of blending in works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The dangerous art of blending in as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Physical & Emotional Abuse, LGBTQ Themes.
Thematically, The dangerous art of blending in explores coming of age, lgbtq+ representation, family, romance, and emotional abuse — 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 coming of age, lgbtq+ representation, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9780062659002
- Pages
- 336
- Publisher
- Balzer + Bray
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction