Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The summer I wasn't me
Jessica Verdi
The summer I wasn't me
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jessica Verdi
The text is written at a 4th 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
Seventeen-year-old Lexi heads to New Horizons summer camp hoping to hide her true self and fit in by pretending to like boys. But as she tries to change who she is, she discovers that being honest about her feelings is more important than she thought. This heartfelt story explores the challenges of identity, family, and acceptance.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include identity & self-discovery, divorce & family change, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated The summer I wasn't me 9ME
The summer I wasn't me is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 730L across 342 pages (approximately 77,874 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The summer I wasn't me works for readers up to grade 6.7.
Read aloud, The summer I wasn't me runs about 8.7 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The summer I wasn't me as 9ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Identity & Self-Discovery, Divorce & Family Change, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, The summer I wasn't me explores lgbtq+ representation, family, coming of age, friendship, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about lgbtq+ representation, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — 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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
6/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781402277887
- Pages
- 342
- Publisher
- Sourcebooks Fire
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 77,874
- Lexile
- 730L
- Read-Aloud
- ~8h 39m
- Text Density
- Standard