Who I'm not
Ted Staunton
Who I'm not
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ted Staunton
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
The police are right behind me as I slip through the crowded streets, heart pounding. I have to disappear, but how? Then I find a secret that could change everything — if I can stay one step ahead. Suddenly, a shadow blocks my path...
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a boy who, facing legal trouble, takes on the identity of a missing child to escape his problems. The story explores themes of identity and survival with suspenseful moments suitable for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the book includes elements of juvenile delinquency and suspense but handles them appropriately for the target age group.
Why we rated Who I'm not 9ME
Who I'm not is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 186 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Who I'm not works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Who I'm not 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, social complexity — 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, Who I'm not explores friendship, identity & self-discovery, adventure, juvenile fiction, and missing children — 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, identity & self-discovery, adventure.
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
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
- 9781459804340
- Pages
- 186
- Publisher
- Orca Book Publishers
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction