What reading level is The Friend with Book(s)?

The Friend with Book(s) by Rosa Guy is at a Level 5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The Friend with Book(s) appropriate for?

The Friend with Book(s) is recommended for Ages 9-12. Content intensity: "Moderate" (3/5). Content flags: Loss & Grief, Divorce & Family Change, Emotional: Pride & Reconciliation.

What genre is The Friend with Book(s)?

The Friend with Book(s) is fiction — African American teenage girls.

Does The Friend with Book(s) have any content warnings?

The Friend with Book(s) has a content intensity rating of "Moderate" (3/5). Content flags include: Loss & Grief, Divorce & Family Change, Emotional: Pride & Reconciliation. On HootRated, every book is rated for emotional, physical, and social content themes to help parents make informed choices.

The Friend with Book(s)

Rosa Guy

The Friend with Book(s)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Rosa Guy

Illustrated by David Small

Reading Level 5 Moderate (Lvl 3) Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 5th 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

Have you ever wondered what really comes between friends? Phyllisia feels the weight of her mother's passing and her father's strict ways, but what if the real barrier is something else? Secrets and feelings swirl as she faces the truth—can their friendship survive?

Themes

Friendship FamilyEmotional GrowthSocial Issues

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction explores themes of friendship, grief, and family dynamics through the story of Phyllisia, who learns that pride and misunderstandings can drive a wedge between even the closest friends. Suitable for ages 9-12, it thoughtfully addresses emotional challenges like loss and parental conflict without explicit content. Parents should be aware that the story involves dealing with grief and complex family relationships.