Tricks
Ellen Hopkins
Tricks
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ellen Hopkins
The text is written at a 8th 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
These five teens couldn’t be more different, yet they all share one big secret: they’re fighting to find a place where they truly belong. Some have money, some have nothing, but every one of them is chasing freedom and love. Their stories show just how strong you can be when you refuse to give up.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Tricks follows five diverse teenagers from various backgrounds as they navigate challenges related to family, identity, and relationships. The book addresses mature themes such as sexuality and personal struggles, making it suitable for older middle-grade readers (ages 9-12) who can handle complex emotional content. Parents should be aware of themes involving sex and family issues, though the narrative offers valuable insights into adolescence and belonging.
Why we rated Tricks 12ME
Tricks is written at a Level 8 reading level across 656 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tricks works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Tricks 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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Content.
Thematically, Tricks explores family, adolescence, lgbtq+ representation, friendship, and identity & self-discovery — 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 family, adolescence, lgbtq+ representation.
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.
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
- 9781690384953
- Pages
- 656
- Publisher
- Crank
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction