The last time we were us
Leah Konen
The last time we were us
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Leah Konen
The text is written at a 7th 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 the boy who was once your best friend suddenly comes back to town, but everyone says he’s dangerous? Imagine trying to have the best summer ever, with parties and a crush, while holding a secret that could change everything. How far would you go to find the truth before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Liz Grant as she navigates friendships, secrets, and first love during one pivotal summer. The story explores themes of trust, social judgment, and self-discovery, set against a backdrop of small-town dynamics. Suitable for readers ages 9-12, it includes mild references to juvenile delinquency and interpersonal conflict but handles them with sensitivity.
Why we rated The last time we were us 12LE
The last time we were us is written at a Level 7 reading level across 353 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The last time we were us works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The last time we were us as 12LE ("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 time we were us explores friendship, coming of age, family, romance, and summer — 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
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — 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
- 9780062402479
- Pages
- 353
- Publisher
- Katherine Tegen Books
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction