These things I've done
Rebecca Phillips
These things I've done
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rebecca Phillips
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 happens when a secret from the past won't let you move on? Dara thought she left her pain behind, but coming back to school means facing memories she tried to forget—and seeing someone she never expected to feel for. Can she find forgiveness in a place filled with loss?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Dara, a teenager grappling with guilt and grief after a tragic accident that took her best friend's life. The story explores themes of loss, self-forgiveness, and the challenges of returning to normal life after trauma, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the emotional depth surrounding death and complex feelings, presented in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated These things I've done 12IE
These things I've done is written at a Level 7 reading level across 334 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, These things I've done works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate These things I've done 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, 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, These things I've done explores grief, coming of age, friendship, family, and teenagers and death — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about grief, coming of age, 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062570901
- Pages
- 334
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction