The rules for breaking
Ashley Elston
The rules for breaking
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ashley Elston
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Anna’s heart pounds as she’s caught between two dangerous men, her sister and boyfriend held captive. The rules she once followed shatter as she makes a risky decision to fight back. But who can she really trust when danger lurks everywhere?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade thriller follows Anna, a girl caught in a perilous struggle involving a drug cartel and a relentless enemy from her past. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of family loyalty, trust, and bravery in the face of danger. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and suspense related to crime and protection.
Why we rated The rules for breaking 12ME
The rules for breaking 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 rules for breaking works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The rules for breaking 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Suspense.
Thematically, The rules for breaking explores law & crime, families, action & adventure, and protection — 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 law & crime, families, action & adventure.
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.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781423168980
- Pages
- 309
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction