The warmest December
Bernice L. McFadden
The warmest December
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bernice L. McFadden
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
There's a secret hiding in Kenzie's family story — one filled with tough times and tough choices. As she visits her dad, she discovers that the past isn't just behind her; it's part of what she can change. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the complex emotions of a young girl confronting her father's terminal illness and their family's struggles with alcoholism and abuse. Told through Kenzie's reflective narration, the story sensitively addresses themes of forgiveness, healing, and personal agency. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers a thoughtful look at family challenges without graphic content.
Why we rated The warmest December 11IE
The warmest December is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The warmest December works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The warmest December as 11IE ("Intense — 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, social complexity — 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 warmest December explores fathers and daughters, terminally ill parents, african american families, children of alcoholics, and family — 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 fathers and daughters, terminally ill parents, african american families.
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
11IE — Intense — 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
- 9781617750359
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Akashic Books
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction