The last resort
Alison Lurie
The last resort
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Alison Lurie
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 happens when a famous writer feels too sad to keep going? Jenny, his loyal wife, hopes a trip to sunny Key West will bring back his smile. But can the Last Resort really help him find hope again?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of depression and friendship through the story of Jenny and her husband Wilkie, a famous writer struggling with suicidal thoughts. Set in Key West, the story sensitively addresses mental health and the power of support, making it appropriate for readers aged 9-12 with parental guidance. The book offers a gentle introduction to complex emotional topics within a fictional context.
Why we rated The last resort 12ME
The last resort is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The last resort works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The last resort 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicidal behavior.
Thematically, The last resort explores friendship, mental health, family, psychology, and fiction — 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, mental health, family.
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.
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
- 0805061746
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 1999
- Type
- Fiction