Totally crushed
Kristen Tracy
Totally crushed
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kristen Tracy
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
The sharp click of lockers slamming and the buzz of excited whispers fill the hallways of sixth grade. Perry’s world is spinning—her best friend Venice has a boyfriend and barely notices her anymore, while Perry tries to survive the chaos of school politics and sister drama. It’s a crazy mix of friendship, crushes, and feeling left out, but the biggest surprises are still waiting.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the complexities of friendship, popularity, and early dating through the eyes of a sixth-grade girl navigating school and family challenges. Suitable for ages 9-12, it addresses common social dynamics with humor and sensitivity, including themes of exclusion and social media influence. Parents should note that it portrays typical middle school drama and emotional ups and downs realistically but without graphic content.
Why we rated Totally crushed 11ME
Totally crushed is written at a Level 6 reading level across 211 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Totally crushed works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Totally crushed as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Totally crushed explores friendship, coming of age, family, humor, and middle schools — 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 friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780553510522
- Pages
- 211
- Publisher
- Delacorte Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction