Who Goes Home?
Sylvia Waugh
Who Goes Home?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sylvia Waugh
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Steven isn’t just any visitor from another planet—he has the amazing power to hide his alien family from danger. But when his son Jacob needs help to survive, everything changes, and secrets start to unravel. What happens when Jacob discovers the truth, and his world turns upside down?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel explores themes of family, identity, and protection through the story of Steven, an alien living on Earth, and his son Jacob, who faces a serious health challenge. The book deals with complex emotions related to secrecy and belonging, suitable for readers aged 9-12, with some mild tension and themes of alien life and family dynamics. It concludes a trilogy, so familiarity with earlier books will enhance understanding.
Why we rated Who Goes Home? 11ME
Who Goes Home? 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, Who Goes Home? works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Who Goes Home? as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Who Goes Home? explores family, science & nature, adventure, friendship, and fantasy world-building — 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 family, science & nature, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781782953159
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Red Fox
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction