Would you rather?
Chris Higgins
Would you rather?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Chris Higgins
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Flick's life is a game of impossible choices—boyfriend or career, snog or marry—and every question feels like a secret waiting to explode. But when her dad uncovers a hidden adoption mystery, Flick realizes some decisions are bigger than any game. What would you do if one choice could change everything?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores themes of identity, family secrets, and the impact of life-changing decisions through the eyes of Flick, a teenager whose father's discovery of his adoption unravels a deep family mystery. Suitable for readers aged 13-18, it thoughtfully addresses adoption and family dynamics with emotional depth. Parents should note the story involves complex family issues and personal identity exploration.
Why we rated Would you rather? 11ME
Would you rather? is written at a Level 6 reading level across 261 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Would you rather? works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Would you rather? as 11ME ("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, 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, Would you rather? explores adoption & foster care, family, coming of age, choice, and young adult fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 adoption & foster care, family, 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
11ME — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780340970768
- Pages
- 261
- Publisher
- Hodder Children's Books
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction