The way we fall
Megan Crewe
The way we fall
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Megan Crewe
The text is written at a 7th 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
What if a mysterious virus traps you on an island with no way out? Sixteen-year-old Kaelyn must survive as supplies run low and people she loves start to disappear. Can she find hope and strength in the darkest moments before everything is lost?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows Kaelyn, a teenager quarantined on her island during a deadly virus outbreak. The story explores themes of survival, friendship, and first love amidst crisis, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the emotional intensity related to loss and the challenges of a pandemic setting.
Why we rated The way we fall 12IE
The way we fall is written at a Level 7 reading level across 309 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The way we fall works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The way we fall as 12IE ("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, physical peril, thematic difficulty — 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 way we fall explores science & nature, survival, friendship, coming of age, and romance — 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 science & nature, survival, friendship.
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
12IE — 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
- 9781423146315
- Pages
- 309
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction