This is not the end
Chandler Baker
This is not the end
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Chandler Baker
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
The cold hum of resurrection pods fills the silent room, a whisper of hope and heartache. Seventeen-year-old Lake faces a choice that could change everything—bring back someone she loves or honor a secret promise. As her eighteenth birthday ticks closer, every moment weighs heavy with loss and longing.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel explores themes of grief, loss, and ethical dilemmas through the story of Lake, a teenager faced with a life-changing decision about resurrection technology. Suitable for ages 9-12, it thoughtfully handles complex emotions and moral questions without graphic content. Parents should note the story involves themes of death and family struggles, presented in a sensitive and age-appropriate way.
Why we rated This is not the end 12IE
This is not the end is written at a Level 7 reading level across 376 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is not the end works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate This is not the end 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, This is not the end explores grief, science & nature, family, science fiction, and moral complexity — 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 grief, science & nature, family.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781484750247
- Pages
- 376
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction