The pros of cons
Alison Cherry
The pros of cons
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alison Cherry
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
Phoebe can beat anyone on the drums, Vanessa is about to meet her internet crush in real life, and Callie knows her way around deer skulls like no one else. When these three meet by accident at a wild convention, their weekend explodes with crazy challenges and unexpected friendships. What happens next will change everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows three unique girls—a drummer, a fanfiction writer, and a young taxidermist—as they navigate personal challenges and forge a surprising friendship during a weekend of conventions. The story explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and belonging in a setting filled with cosplay and competitions. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains no significant content concerns and offers a positive message about friendship and self-discovery.
Why we rated The pros of cons 12LE
The pros of cons is written at a Level 7 reading level across 341 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The pros of cons works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The pros of cons 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 pros of cons explores friendship, coming of age, family, fan fiction, and conventions — 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
- 9781338151725
- Pages
- 341
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction