The new guy (and other senior year distractions)
Amy Spalding
The new guy (and other senior year distractions)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Amy Spalding
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Filled with romance, rivalry, and passive-aggressive dog walking, Amy Spalding delivers a hilariously relatable story about how even the best-laid plans sometimes need to be rewritten. What's the only thing that could derail overachiever Jules's perfect senior year? Alex Powell--former member of boy-band sensation Chaos 4 All and newest transfer to Eagle Vista Academy. Alex seems cool enough when he starts spending time with Jules. In fact, he turns out to be quite the romantic (not to mention a killer kisser). And after getting over the initial shock that someone like Alex might actually like like her, Jules accepts that having a boyfriend could be a nice addition to her packed schedule. That is, until Alex commits the ultimate betrayal, which threatens to ruin her high school career, and possibly her entire future. This. Means. War.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 7 book. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The new guy (and other senior year distractions) Level 0
The new guy (and other senior year distractions) is written at a Level 7 reading level across 309 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The new guy (and other senior year distractions) works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The new guy (and other senior year distractions) as Unrated because the content sits in the "Unrated" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the unrated intensity score.
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.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
Level 0 — UnratedThis book has not yet been rated for content intensity.
Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780316382786
- Pages
- 309
- Publisher
- Poppy
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction