Saying it out loud
by Joan Abelove
Puffin Books 2001
Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up
Reading level 4.7 (4th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- grief and loss
- family
- finding your voice
- friendship
- illness
- identity
- resilience
- faith and culture
About this book
A thoughtful, emotionally honest novel about a girl finding her voice as her family faces her mother’s serious illness. Set in a Jewish household, the story follows a young teen learning to say what she feels, ask hard questions, and lean on friends when life changes fast. Readers who like realistic stories about family, faith, and resilience will connect with the narrator’s clear, heartfelt voice. A strong choice for middle schoolers and early high schoolers ready for deeper themes.
Setting: suburban New York, late 1990s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saying it out loud right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Saying it out loud. The reading level is AR 4.7, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include grief and loss, family, finding your voice.
How long does it take to read Saying it out loud?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Saying it out loud takes around 3.5h to finish. The book has 32,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Saying it out loud have an AR quiz?
Yes — Saying it out loud has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 Saying it out loud?
Saying it out loud has an AR reading level of 4.7, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.