Things that surprise you
Jennifer Maschari
Things that surprise you
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennifer Maschari
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
The sharp scent of freshly baked pizza wafts through the air at The Slice, where Emily and Hazel usually share laughs and dance moves. But now, everything feels different — from school hallways to family dinners, and even in Emily's own heart. Change is coming, and Emily is learning that sometimes, you have to put the pieces back together to find out who you really are.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle grade novel sensitively explores the challenges of family change, friendship shifts, and coping with a sibling's eating disorder. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an honest yet hopeful portrayal of middle school life and the emotional complexities children face during family transitions. Parents should note themes of anorexia and divorce are handled with care and provide opportunities for meaningful conversation.
Why we rated Things that surprise you 11ME
Things that surprise you is written at a Level 6 reading level across 276 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Things that surprise you works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Things that surprise you as 11ME ("Moderate — 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 — 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, Things that surprise you explores family, friendship, coming of age, eating disorders, and middle school — 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 family, friendship, coming of age.
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
11ME — Moderate — 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
- 9780062438928
- Pages
- 276
- Publisher
- Balzer + Bray
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction