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Undone

Cat Clarke

Cover of Undone

Undone

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cat Clarke

Reading Level 5 10IP Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

When Jem's closest friend takes her own life, she sets out to confront the popular crowd responsible for outing Kai. Navigating a world of secrets and hurt, Jem discovers the power of courage and the complexities of friendship. This gripping story explores the challenges of identity, loss, and standing up for what's right.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include self harm, suicide, sexual prejudice. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated Undone 10IP

Undone is written at a Level 5 reading level (approximately 97,975 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Undone works for readers up to grade 7.0.

Read aloud, Undone runs about 10.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Undone as 10IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Self Harm, Suicide, Sexual Prejudice, Profanity, Sexual Situations, Violence, Underage Alcohol Use, Underage Cigarette Use.

Thematically, Undone explores friendship, lgbtq+ representation, mental health, social justice, and coming of age — 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 friendship, lgbtq+ representation, mental health.

Maybe not for

  • ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
  • ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
  • ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

10IP — Intense — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Intense
Social
Intense
Thematic
Clear

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.

Content Flags

Self Harm Suicide Sexual Prejudice Profanity Sexual Situations Violence Underage Alcohol Use Underage Cigarette Use
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
8
Theme Richness
10
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
6

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Details

Book Length

97,975 words
10h 53m read-aloud
ISBN
9781402292248
Publisher
Sourcebooks Fire
Published
2014
Type
Fiction
Word Count
97,975
Read-Aloud
~10h 53m

Subjects

Best FriendsFriendshipSuicideGaysComing OutGay High School StudentsGay MenLesbians