The sister pact
Stacie Ramey
The sister pact
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stacie Ramey
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Allie thought a promise could keep her and her sister together forever. But when Leah breaks their pact, everything falls apart, and Allie is left searching for answers in the shadows. What hidden truths will she uncover, and can she face them without losing herself?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores the heavy themes of grief, suicide, and family secrets through the story of Allie, whose sister Leah's death shatters a suicide pact they made. The book handles sensitive topics like drug use and mental health realistically and is suited for mature teens aged 13 and up. Parents should be aware of its exploration of emotional distress and the complexities of coping with loss.
Why we rated The sister pact 12IE
The sister pact is written at a Level 7 reading level across 310 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The sister pact works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The sister pact as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicide, Drug Use, Grief.
Thematically, The sister pact explores grief, suicide, family, secrets, and mental health — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about grief, suicide, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781492620976
- Pages
- 310
- Publisher
- Sourcebooks Fire
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction