What about tomorrow
Ivan Southall
What about tomorrow
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ivan Southall
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if a single accident could change everything you thought about your family and your future? Imagine being fourteen and deciding to run away during tough times, not knowing what lies ahead. Every choice could lead to a new adventure or a hard lesson—what will tomorrow bring?
Quick Assessment
Set in Depression-era Australia, this middle-grade novel follows a fourteen-year-old boy who runs away after a bike accident, triggering a journey of self-discovery and change. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores historical themes with emotional depth and realistic challenges. Parents should be aware of themes related to family struggles and personal growth during difficult times.
Why we rated What about tomorrow 9LE
What about tomorrow is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 139 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What about tomorrow works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate What about tomorrow as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, What about tomorrow explores coming of age, historical, family, and adventure — 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 coming of age, historical, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Tomorrow, when the war began
John Marsden
Tomorrow, when the war began
John Marsden
The man who wanted tomorrow
Brian Freemantle
The man who wanted tomorrow
Brian Freemantle
As tomorrow becomes today
Charles Wm Sullivan
As tomorrow becomes today
Charles Wm Sullivan
Tomorrow's tide
Macdonald, Malcolm
Tomorrow's tide
Macdonald, Malcolm
The futures of children
Nicholas Hobbs
The futures of children
Nicholas Hobbs
New day
Victor Stafford Reid
New day
Victor Stafford Reid
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0207133794
- Pages
- 139
- Publisher
- Angus & Robertson
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction