This is not a love letter

Kim Purcell

Cover of This is not a love letter

This is not a love letter

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Kim Purcell

Reading Level 7 12IE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Jessie runs along the river, heart pounding, wondering where Chris could be. He vanished after that scary fight with some boys from the rival school—why hasn’t anyone found him yet? As Jessie writes him a letter, she uncovers secrets that might change everything.

Themes

Loss & GriefLoveRacial DiscriminationSmall Town LifeComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores themes of loss, racial tension, and young love in a small town setting. It follows Jessie as she searches for her missing boyfriend Chris, confronting difficult social issues like harassment and community prejudice. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story handles mature topics with sensitivity but includes some intense emotional content and mild threats.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12IE — Intense — Emotional
Emotional
Intense ←
Physical
Light
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Mild Threats Racial Harassment
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
6
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
7
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

356 pages
ISBN
9781484798348
Pages
356
Publisher
Disney-Hyperion
Published
2018
Type
Fiction

Genres

Young Adult Fiction

Subjects

LossLoveCity and Town LifeMysteryYoung Adult FictionRace RelationsLove & RomanceHigh School StudentsInterracial DatingMissing PersonsTeenagersCrimes Against