Yummy
Greg Neri
Yummy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Greg Neri
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.
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About This Book
Experience the gripping and tragic story of Robert 'Yummy' Sandifer, a young boy caught in the harsh realities of gang life on Chicago's Southside. This graphic novel unveils the challenges he faced, the dangers surrounding him, and the heartbreaking consequences of his choices. A powerful and emotional journey that explores the impact of violence and survival in a troubled community.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with very intense content intensity. Note: content intensity (Very Intense) exceeds what the reading level might suggest. Content themes include death & grief, gang violence, drug use. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Yummy 8VE
Yummy is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 94 pages (approximately 5,086 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Yummy works for readers up to grade 5.4.
Read aloud, Yummy takes about 34 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Yummy as 8VE ("Vivid — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death & Grief, Gang Violence, Drug Use, Sexual Assault, Physical Danger, Graphic Violence, Body Horror.
Thematically, Yummy explores biography, social justice, urban life, violence, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about biography, social justice, urban life.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8VE — Vivid — EmotionalGraphic or sustained depictions of trauma, violence, or mature content.
Content Flags
Was our "Very Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781584302674
- Pages
- 94
- Publisher
- Lee & Low Books
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 5,086
- Read-Aloud
- ~34 min
- Text Density
- Light Text