What reading level is Whatever?

Whatever by S. J. Goslee is at a Level 6-7 reading level (Lexile 910L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Whatever appropriate for?

Whatever is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Whatever?

Whatever is fiction — Juvenile Nonfiction.

Does Whatever have any content warnings?

Whatever has a HootRating of 11ME (Moderate — 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 Whatever?

Whatever by S. J. Goslee is 266 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Whatever

S. J. Goslee

Whatever

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Or how Junior Year Became Totally F$@cked

by S. J. Goslee

Reading Level 6-7 11ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

What if you suddenly realized something huge about yourself that changes everything? Imagine trying to keep your cool while dealing with school, friends, and the surprising news that you’re gay. How will you handle the hilarious chaos that follows?

Themes

Humor Coming of Age LGBTQ+ Representation Friendship Identity & Self-Discovery

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows a humorous and heartfelt story of a teenage boy who discovers his sexual orientation and navigates the challenges of coming out. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles themes of identity and self-discovery with lightheartedness and humor, making it accessible for young readers exploring these topics.

Why we rated Whatever 11ME

Whatever is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 910L across 266 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Whatever works for readers up to grade 8.5.

We rate Whatever 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, Whatever explores humor, coming of age, lgbtq+ representation, friendship, and identity & self-discovery — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about humor, coming of age, lgbtq+ representation.

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.