Touching the surface
Kim Sabatini
Touching the surface
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kim Sabatini
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
Here's a secret: Elliot has lived three lives already, and now she's in the afterlife again, ready for one last chance. But first, she has to face her past, mend broken friendships, and find her soul mate. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of reincarnation, forgiveness, and personal growth through the story of a 17-year-old girl who navigates the afterlife before starting a new life. It's appropriate for ages 9-12, with thoughtful treatment of death and relationships. Parents should note the book encourages reflection on life's conduct and future possibilities in a gentle, imaginative way.
Why we rated Touching the surface 12ME
Touching the surface is written at a Level 7 reading level across 340 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Touching the surface works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Touching the surface as 12ME ("Moderate — 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, Touching the surface explores reincarnation, death, friendship, coming of age, and fiction — 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 reincarnation, death, friendship.
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
12ME — Moderate — 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
- 9781442440029
- Pages
- 340
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction