What to say next
Julie Buxbaum
What to say next
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Julie Buxbaum
The text is written at a 6th 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
Some friendships start with silence, but this one begins with a surprising question about loss. When Kit and David, who seem worlds apart, share their secrets, everything changes. What happens when the truth they're searching for is more than they bargained for?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of grief and friendship as two teenagers from different social circles form an unexpected bond. It sensitively handles the emotional impact of loss and the process of healing, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the story deals with the death of a parent and the complexities of navigating high school relationships.
Why we rated What to say next 11ME
What to say next is written at a Level 6 reading level across 292 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What to say next works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate What to say next as 11ME ("Moderate — 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, What to say next explores grief, friendship, family, coming of age, and schools — 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 grief, friendship, family.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
- 9780553535716
- Pages
- 292
- Publisher
- Ember
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction