The switch
Jessica Lyn Cozzi
The switch
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jessica Lyn Cozzi
The text is written at a 6th 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
The cold wind bites as footsteps echo down empty streets. A girl named Leah has lived many lives—Shaylin, Amber, Delilah—and every new name hides a new secret. But when the past catches up, she must decide if she can keep running or finally stand still.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Leah, a girl who has assumed multiple identities to evade the police due to her mother's past actions. The story explores themes of identity, family secrets, and the challenges faced by children connected to criminal activity. It is appropriate for ages 9-12 and deals with emotional topics like fear and hiding, presented in a way accessible to this age group.
Why we rated The switch 11ME
The switch is written at a Level 6 reading level across 226 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The switch works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The switch as 11ME ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The switch explores children of criminals, family, identity & self-discovery, and fiction — 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 children of criminals, family, identity & self-discovery.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781492135463
- Pages
- 226
- Publisher
- CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction