Things We Can't Undo
Gabrielle Reid
Things We Can't Undo
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gabrielle Reid
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 single moment could change everything you thought you knew about your best friend? Imagine your whole school buzzing with rumors, and the truth slipping further away with every click. Sam and Dylan thought they had it all figured out, but now they’re caught in a web that might be impossible to escape.
Quick Assessment
Things We Can’t Undo is a middle-grade novel exploring the impact of social media on young teens, focusing on themes of reputation, rumor, and trust. It follows two Year 11 students as they navigate a serious and sensitive situation involving accusations and the spread of harmful rumors. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of the mature themes surrounding social media consequences and peer relationships.
Why we rated Things We Can't Undo 12IE
Things We Can't Undo is written at a Level 7 reading level across 354 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Things We Can't Undo works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Things We Can't Undo 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Rumors, Social Media Impact, Accusations.
Thematically, Things We Can't Undo explores friendship, coming of age, social justice, and adventure — 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 friendship, coming of age, social justice.
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.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781925736045
- Pages
- 354
- Publisher
- Ford Street Press
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction