What reading level is Who I kissed?

Who I kissed by Janet Gurtler is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 590L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Who I kissed appropriate for?

Who I kissed is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Death, Food Allergy.

What genre is Who I kissed?

Who I kissed is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Who I kissed have any content warnings?

Who I kissed has a HootRating of 8IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Death, Food Allergy. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Who I kissed?

Who I kissed by Janet Gurtler is 314 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Who I kissed

Janet Gurtler

Who I kissed

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Janet Gurtler

Reading Level 3 8IE Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Have you ever wondered how one unexpected moment can change everything? Samantha just wanted to fit in and maybe share a special kiss, but then something tragic happens that no one saw coming. How will she find her way through the storm of feelings and questions?

Themes

Friendship Coming of Age FamilyJuvenile FictionFood AllergyGrief

Quick Assessment

This story follows Samantha, a young girl grappling with the aftermath of a tragic accident involving a food allergy and the loss of a peer. It sensitively explores themes of grief, guilt, and forgiveness suitable for early readers aged 5-8, though parents should be aware of its emotional depth and the handling of death. The book offers a thoughtful look at coping with loss and the complexities of young friendships and emotions.

Why we rated Who I kissed 8IE

Who I kissed is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 590L across 314 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Who I kissed works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate Who I kissed as 8IE ("Intense — 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death, Food Allergy.

Thematically, Who I kissed explores friendship, coming of age, family, juvenile fiction, and food allergy — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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 friendship, coming of age, family.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.