The Way I Used to Be
Amber Smith
The Way I Used to Be
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Amber Smith
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Eden freezes as the door clicks shut behind him. She wishes she could rewind time and change everything—every laugh, every look, every moment she didn’t see coming. But now, she has to face what happened alone, and the hardest part is just beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This compelling middle-grade novel explores the difficult subject of trauma and recovery through the story of Eden, a young girl grappling with the aftermath of a life-changing event. It addresses heavy emotional themes with sensitivity and is suited for mature readers aged 9-12 who can handle intense topics. Parents should be aware that the book deals with sexual assault and the emotional struggles following it.
Why we rated The Way I Used to Be 12IE
The Way I Used to Be is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Way I Used to Be works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The Way I Used to Be 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Mental Health, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The Way I Used to Be explores emotions, coming of age, family, friendship, and mental health — 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 emotions, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780861546732
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- Rock the Boat
- Published
- January 1, 2017
- Type
- Fiction