What reading level is You are not here?

You are not here by Samantha Schutz is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 590L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is You are not here appropriate for?

You are not here is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is You are not here?

You are not here is fiction — Dating (Social customs).

Does You are not here have any content warnings?

You are not here has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is You are not here?

You are not here by Samantha Schutz is 292 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

You are not here

Samantha Schutz

You are not here

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Samantha Schutz

Reading Level 3 8ME 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

The soft rustle of leaves whispers secrets on a quiet afternoon. Annaleah feels the weight of silence where laughter used to be, as memories of someone very special fill the air around her. It’s a gentle ache that only she seems to understand, but that feeling is just the start of her story.

Themes

GriefBereavementFriendship FamilyJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

This early reader gently explores themes of grief and loss through the eyes of Annaleah, a young girl mourning the death of someone dear to her. The story sensitively addresses complex emotions and the challenges of unspoken relationships, making it appropriate for children aged 5-8 who are ready to engage with themes of bereavement. Parents should note the book’s focus on emotional processing rather than graphic content.

Why we rated You are not here 8ME

You are not here is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 590L across 292 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, You are not here works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate You are not here as 8ME ("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 — 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, You are not here explores grief, bereavement, friendship, family, and juvenile fiction — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about grief, bereavement, friendship.

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.