Whatever doesn't kill you
Elizabeth Wennick
Whatever doesn't kill you
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elizabeth Wennick
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 the person who hurt your family most comes back into your life? Jenna's world turns upside down when the man who murdered her dad walks free. Can she find the courage to face him and uncover the truth before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores a young girl's journey as she confronts the man who killed her father after his release from prison. It deals with themes of loss, family dysfunction, and emotional resilience suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the book addresses serious topics like murder and grief in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Whatever doesn't kill you 11ME
Whatever doesn't kill you is written at a Level 6 reading level across 202 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Whatever doesn't kill you works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Whatever doesn't kill you 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 doesn't kill you explores dysfunctional families, fathers, death, murder, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about dysfunctional families, fathers, death.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781459800830
- Pages
- 202
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction