Where I want to be
Cara DeVito
Where I want to be
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cara DeVito
The text is written at a 4th 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
Here's a secret: Kristie has been carrying a lot inside since her dad passed away. She lives with half brothers she barely knows and wonders about the mother who left her long ago—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of family, grief, and reconciliation as fourteen-year-old Kristie navigates her relationships with her half brothers and estranged mother after her father's death. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, the story handles emotional topics with sensitivity and provides a thoughtful look at complex family dynamics.
Why we rated Where I want to be 9ME
Where I want to be is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 187 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Where I want to be works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Where I want to be as 9ME ("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, Where I want to be explores family, coming of age, interpersonal relations, and grief — 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 family, coming of age, interpersonal relations.
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
9ME — 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
- 0395645921
- Pages
- 187
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction