What you don't know can kill you
by Fran Arrick
Bantam 1992
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 4.9 (4th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include health and sexuality
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Genre
Themes
- health and sexuality
- peer pressure
- responsibility and choices
- trust and honesty
- stigma and misinformation
- family relationships
- coming of age
About this book
This contemporary issue novel follows a high school teen who learns that choices about relationships and health have real consequences. As rumors swirl and pressure mounts, she’s forced to separate facts from fear about sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. With an honest, accessible voice, the story emphasizes knowledge, communication, and self-respect. Teens who like realistic dramas about friendships, first love, and tough decisions will be drawn in.
Setting: contemporary suburban United States, early 1990s high school and community
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is What you don't know can kill you right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for What you don't know can kill you. The reading level is AR 4.9, 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 health and sexuality, peer pressure, responsibility and choices.
How long does it take to read What you don't know can kill you?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, What you don't know can kill you takes around 5.0h to finish. The book has 45,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does What you don't know can kill you have an AR quiz?
Yes — What you don't know can kill you 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 What you don't know can kill you?
What you don't know can kill you has an AR reading level of 4.9, 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.