When the butterflies came
Kimberley Griffiths Little
When the butterflies came
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kimberley Griffiths Little
The text is written at a 7th 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
Listen closely—there's a secret hidden in the flutter of butterflies that appear just after Grammy Claire's funeral. Tara finds a strange butler and a stack of mysterious keys that unlock more than just doors. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores a young girl's journey through grief and family challenges after the loss of her grandmother and her mother's departure. The story incorporates gentle elements of mystery and magic to help readers understand complex emotions around bereavement and healing. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of loss and family dynamics.
Why we rated When the butterflies came 12ME
When the butterflies came is written at a Level 7 reading level across 327 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, When the butterflies came works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate When the butterflies came as 12ME ("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, When the butterflies came explores bereavement, family, grief, juvenile fiction, and magic — 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 bereavement, family, grief.
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
12ME — 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
- 9780545425131
- Pages
- 327
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction