The year it rained
Crescent Dragonwagon
The year it rained
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Crescent Dragonwagon
The text is written at a 6th 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
Elizabeth’s heart races as she steps into the hospital room, memories of past struggles flooding her mind. Every moment feels like a battle she can’t afford to lose. But just when hope seems within reach, a sudden decision changes everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Elizabeth, a seventeen-year-old girl navigating the aftermath of multiple suicide attempts and hospital stays while searching for happiness amid mental health challenges. The story sensitively explores themes of mental illness and recovery, suitable for mature readers aged 9-12 with parental guidance. Parents should be aware of the frank portrayal of depression and suicide.
Why we rated The year it rained 11IE
The year it rained is written at a Level 6 reading level across 213 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The year it rained works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The year it rained as 11IE ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mental Illness, Suicide.
Thematically, The year it rained explores mental health, coming of age, 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 mental health, 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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — 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
- 0027331105
- Pages
- 213
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 1985
- Type
- Fiction