The last summer of us
Maggie Harcourt
The last summer of us
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
where do we go from here?
by Maggie Harcourt
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if one last summer could change everything? Limpet, Steffan, and Jared pile into a rusty old car, racing through endless roads to leave their troubles behind. But some secrets and feelings are harder to outrun—will their friendship survive the ride?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows three close friends on a summer road trip aiming to escape their personal challenges. It explores themes of friendship, secrets, and young romance with sensitivity appropriate for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the story touches on interpersonal dynamics and emotional growth but contains no intense content.
Why we rated The last summer of us 11LE
The last summer of us is written at a Level 6 reading level across 294 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The last summer of us works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The last summer of us as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The last summer of us explores friendship, coming of age, family, and romance — 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, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781409587699
- Pages
- 294
- Publisher
- Usborne Publishing Limited
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction