Where people like us live
Patricia Cumbie
Where people like us live
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patricia Cumbie
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The sharp crunch of autumn leaves underfoot fills the air as Libby steps into a new neighborhood, the scent of pine and fresh paint mingling around her. She soon finds a friend in Angie, whose laughter feels like sunshine on a cloudy day. But behind closed doors, a shadow lurks, and Libby faces a heart-wrenching secret that changes everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1978, this middle-grade novel follows 14-year-old Libby as her family relocates to Racine, Wisconsin. The story explores themes of friendship, family challenges, and the impact of child sexual abuse with sensitivity and care, suitable for readers aged 9-12 who can handle serious topics. Parents should be aware that the book deals with difficult emotional content, including abuse and complex family dynamics.
Why we rated Where people like us live 11IE
Where people like us live is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Where people like us live works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Where people like us live as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Sexual Abuse.
Thematically, Where people like us live explores friendship, family, stepfamilies, moving, and child sexual abuse — 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 friendship, family, stepfamilies.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780061375989
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction