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
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
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.
Why we rated The Friend with Book(s) 10ME
The Friend with Book(s) is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Friend with Book(s) works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate The Friend with Book(s) as 10ME ("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: Loss & Grief, Divorce & Family Change, Emotional: Pride & Reconciliation.
Thematically, The Friend with Book(s) explores friendship, family, emotional growth, and social issues — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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 friendship, family, emotional growth.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9781595199164
- Publisher
- Turtleback Books
- Published
- September 2006
- Type
- Fiction