The Lines We Cross
Randa Abdel-Fattah
The Lines We Cross
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Randa Abdel-Fattah
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
What happens when two teenagers from very different worlds find themselves drawn to each other? Michael’s family fights to stop refugees from coming to Australia, while Mina just wants to build a new life after fleeing Afghanistan. Can their friendship—and maybe something more—survive when their families and beliefs collide?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores the complex issues of immigration, cultural identity, and political tension through the eyes of two teenagers from opposing backgrounds. Suitable for ages 13 and up, it thoughtfully addresses themes of family loyalty, prejudice, and romance without graphic content. Parents should be aware it includes discussions of anti-immigrant sentiment and the challenges faced by refugees.
Why we rated The Lines We Cross 12ME
The Lines We Cross is written at a Level 7 reading level across 393 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Lines We Cross works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The Lines We Cross 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, social complexity — 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 Lines We Cross explores family, love & romance, multicultural, coming of age, and social justice — 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 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 family, love & romance, multicultural.
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.
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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338118667
- Pages
- 393
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction