Things We Miss
Leah Stecher
Things We Miss
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Leah Stecher
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Some seventh graders face challenges that seem impossible, but what if you could skip all the hardest parts? In this story, a misfit girl discovers a secret path through the ups and downs of middle school, showing that being different can be your greatest strength. Her journey changes everything, proving that the toughest times can lead to the brightest moments.
Quick Assessment
Things We Miss is a heartfelt middle grade novel about a socially awkward girl navigating the challenges of seventh grade. Drawing comparisons to books like When You Reach Me and Starfish, it explores themes of identity and resilience in a realistic school setting. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles typical middle school struggles in an accessible and gentle way.
Why we rated Things We Miss 11LE
Things We Miss is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Things We Miss works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Things We Miss as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Things We Miss explores coming of age, friendship, family, and identity & self-discovery — 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 coming of age, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781547613021
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Children's Books
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction