okay, i’m not going to share my current age, but i read this book in the fourth grade. let me just say, this book mentally screwed me up. i remember at the time liking it, but i have horrible paranoia, and one of the reasons is having to read this book in fourth grade. letting a child who’s the age of 9-10 read this book is a horrible idea. yes, i believe it’s important for kids to understand loss and guilt, as it’s something i very much have experienced in my life, but i mean fourth grade!