We'll fly away
Bryan Bliss
We'll fly away
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bryan Bliss
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of rain-soaked asphalt fills the air as Luke and Toby race through their small town, hearts pounding with dreams bigger than the cracked streets beneath them. But every choice echoes louder than the last, pulling them apart in ways they never expected. What happens when friendship faces its toughest test, and the future feels as heavy as the night sky?
Themes
Quick Assessment
We'll Fly Away is a middle-grade novel that explores the deep bond between two best friends navigating a challenging senior year amidst family troubles and personal hardships. Told through alternating perspectives of present-day events and letters from death row, the story handles mature themes such as family abuse, incarceration, and difficult life choices with emotional nuance. Recommended for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of its intense subjects and thoughtful portrayal of complex social issues.
Why we rated We'll fly away 12IE
We'll fly away is written at a Level 8 reading level across 416 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, We'll fly away works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate We'll fly away as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Family Abuse, Incarceration, Death Row, Mature Themes.
Thematically, We'll fly away explores friendship, family, coming of age, letters, and high school — 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 friendship, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9780062494276
- Pages
- 416
- Publisher
- Greenwillow Books
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction