The leaving season
Cat Jordan
The leaving season
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cat Jordan
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The cool breeze carries the scent of fresh grass and the distant hum of laughter as suitcases roll across the pavement. Middie watches her boyfriend Nate prepare to leave for a big adventure in Central America, dreaming of the day she'll join him. But when a sudden tragedy shakes her world, everything she thought she knew starts to unravel, and the last person she expected becomes her anchor.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores themes of loss, love, and self-discovery as Middie navigates the difficult transition after high school graduation. It deals with tragedy and emotional upheaval in a sensitive way appropriate for teens ages 13 and up. The story also touches on friendship dynamics and young romance, making it a thoughtful read for mature middle and high school readers.
Why we rated The leaving season 12IE
The leaving season is written at a Level 7 reading level across 335 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The leaving season works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The leaving season as 12IE ("Intense — 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The leaving season explores coming of age, romance, friendship, family, and social issues — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 coming of age, romance, friendship.
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
12IE — Intense — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062351371
- Pages
- 335
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction