When You Were Here cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 5.0
Points 9.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 61811
Points per Word 0.000146
Page Count 261
Points per Page 0.034483

Description

When his mother dies shortly before high-school graduation, Danny goes to Tokyo to learn about the city his mother loved and, with the help of his friends, come to terms with her death. The plot contains profanity and sexual situations.

Quick Summary

This book takes readers on an emotional journey through the streets of Tokyo while exploring grief, friendship, and self-discovery in a way that feels both heartbreaking and hopeful. The Story of McDonald's blends humor with raw emotion as Danny explores his mother's favorite city, uncovers family secrets, and learns that healing doesn't happen in a straight line. If your kid loves the emotional depth of The Fault in Our Stars or the travel-adventure vibe of Looking for Alaska, they'll devour this. Perfect for teens in grades 9-12 who enjoy contemporary fiction with heart.