If I asked you, would you stay?
by Eve Bunting
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1984
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 4.3 (4th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- first love
- family change and divorce
- loyalty and trust
- identity and self-discovery
- choices and consequences
- independence
- growing up
About this book
A thoughtful contemporary novel about a teen caught between loyalty and the pull to start over. As family changes and a new romance complicate her world, she must decide whom to trust and what she really wants for herself. Eve Bunting’s clear, heartfelt writing explores the push-and-pull of first love, divorce, and independence without easy answers. Perfect for teens who enjoy realistic stories about relationships and personal choices.
Setting: contemporary small-town California, 1980s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is If I asked you, would you stay? right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for If I asked you, would you stay?. The reading level is AR 4.3, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include first love, family change and divorce, loyalty and trust.
How long does it take to read If I asked you, would you stay??
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, If I asked you, would you stay? takes around 3.9h to finish. The book has 35,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does If I asked you, would you stay? have an AR quiz?
Yes — If I asked you, would you stay? has an AR quiz available, worth 5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is If I asked you, would you stay??
If I asked you, would you stay? has an AR reading level of 4.3, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.