Three Things I Know Are True
Betty Culley
Three Things I Know Are True
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Betty Culley
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp crack of a gunshot shatters the quiet, turning everything upside down. Liv watches as her brother Jonah becomes trapped inside his own broken body, needing help every moment just to survive. In a world torn apart by anger and sadness, Liv clings to hope and the quiet strength of family.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This novel in verse deals with the aftermath of a tragic gun accident that leaves a young boy with severe disabilities. It explores themes of grief, family dynamics, community division, and forgiveness, suitable for teens aged 13 and up. Parents should be aware of its sensitive treatment of violence and emotional trauma.
Why we rated Three Things I Know Are True 12IE
Three Things I Know Are True is written at a Level 8 reading level across 448 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Three Things I Know Are True works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Three Things I Know Are True 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, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Disability, Grief.
Thematically, Three Things I Know Are True explores family, siblings, disabilities & special needs, grief, and forgiveness — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, siblings, disabilities & special needs.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! 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
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
- 9780062908049
- Pages
- 448
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction