We are all that's left
Carrie Arcos
We are all that's left
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Carrie Arcos
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
Zara is a photographer with a secret wound no picture can capture. When a sudden explosion changes everything, she must uncover the hidden stories of her past and find the courage to heal. This is a powerful journey about family, faith, and the invisible scars that shape us all.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter against the backdrop of war trauma and cultural identity. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses post-traumatic stress disorder and the process of healing through faith and connection. Parents should note themes of war, loss, and emotional recovery portrayed with care.
Why we rated We are all that's left 12IE
We are all that's left is written at a Level 7 reading level across 376 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, We are all that's left works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate We are all that's left as 12IE ("Intense — 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Post-traumatic stress disorder, War trauma.
Thematically, We are all that's left explores faith, bosnian americans, photography, family, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about faith, bosnian americans, photography.
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
12IE — Intense — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780399175541
- Pages
- 376
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction