Wide awake
David Levithan
Wide awake
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David Levithan
The text is written at a 6th 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
What happens when the results of an important election aren't what they seem? Imagine a future where a gay Jewish man becomes president, but one state refuses to accept the outcome. Two friends, Jimmy and Duncan, step up to fight for what's right—but can their voices make a difference?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Wide Awake is a middle grade novel that combines political drama with a heartfelt teen love story. Set in a near-future America, it explores themes of democracy, social activism, and LGBTQ+ identity through the experiences of two young protagonists. Suitable for ages 9-12, it thoughtfully addresses complex social issues without graphic content.
Why we rated Wide awake 11MS
Wide awake is written at a Level 6 reading level across 221 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Wide awake works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Wide awake as 11MS ("Moderate — Social") 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, thematic difficulty — 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, Wide awake explores lgbtq+ representation, friendship, coming of age, family, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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 lgbtq+ representation, friendship, coming of age.
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
11MS — Moderate — SocialReal 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780375834677
- Pages
- 221
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction