The Fixer
Jennifer Barnes
The Fixer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennifer Barnes
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 would you do if you suddenly had the power to fix everyone’s problems—but only if you keep your own secrets safe? Sixteen-year-old Tess moves in with her sister Ivy, Washington D.C.'s top fixer, and before long, Tess starts solving mysteries and scandals of her own at a fancy high school. But when their secret lives collide, can Tess handle the dangerous game she's been pulled into?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows sixteen-year-old Tess as she moves to live with her older sister Ivy, a renowned problem-solver for Washington D.C.'s elite. Tess soon discovers her own knack for fixing high school scandals but becomes entangled in a risky conspiracy that challenges her morals and safety. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book explores themes of family, secrecy, and ethical dilemmas without graphic content, making it a compelling but age-appropriate read.
Why we rated The Fixer 12ME
The Fixer is written at a Level 7 reading level across 372 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Fixer works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The Fixer 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 Fixer explores family, mystery, coming of age, wealth, and sisters — 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 family, mystery, 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
- 9781619635944
- Pages
- 372
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction