What reading level is Upstream?

Upstream by Melissa Lion is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is Upstream appropriate for?

Upstream is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 9IE (Intense — Emotional).

What genre is Upstream?

Upstream is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does Upstream have any content warnings?

Upstream has a HootRating of 9IE (Intense — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Upstream?

Upstream by Melissa Lion is 160 pages.

Upstream

Melissa Lion

Upstream

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Melissa Lion

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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

What if the most beautiful place you know suddenly feels like a secret you have to keep? Marty and her boyfriend Steven loved exploring Alaska’s wild fields and catching salmon, but this summer changed everything. Now, as school starts, Marty faces whispers and stares—what happened that she can’t tell anyone?

Themes

Friendship Coming of AgeGriefBereavementSocial ThemesYoung Adult Fiction

Quick Assessment

Upstream is a young adult novel set in a small Alaskan town, exploring themes of grief, loss, and the challenges of coming of age. It follows Marty as she navigates her senior year after a life-changing summer event involving her boyfriend, Steven. The book is suitable for teens and addresses complex social and emotional issues sensitively.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9IE — Intense — Emotional

Emotional

Intense ←

Physical

Clear

Social

Moderate

Thematic

Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" 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

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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Details

Book Length

160 pages

ISBN: 9780307548634
Pages: 160
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Published: 2009
Type: Fiction

Genres

Young Adult Fiction

Subjects

Young Adult FictionSocial ThemesDeath, Grief, BereavementFriendshipComing of AgeSchool StoriesDeathFamiliesFamily LifeGriefBereavementHigh SchoolsSchools

Places

Alaska