book

DEAR EVAN HANSEN: THE NOVEL

Name: DEAR EVAN HANSEN: THE NOVEL
Author: Val Emmich with Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

Val Emmich with Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

When one of Evan's letters to himself is accidentally found on a suicide victim, the victim's family assumes that he was a close friend. (Ages 14 and up)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The prose is accessible to teens, but suicide, grief, anxiety, depression, online pressure, deception, and emotionally intense family conflict call for mature discussion. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

Death of a character4/5
Romance3/5
Alcohol or drugs2/5

Strongest positives

Positive messages4/5
Courage & resilience3/5
Kindness & empathy3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5

Why this rating?

A student's suicide occurs before the main events and strongly shapes the plot; grief and its effects are explored repeatedly.

Strong language2/5

Why this rating?

Includes occasional mild profanity typical of contemporary YA fiction.

LGBTQIA characters1/5

Why this rating?

No prominent LGBTQIA characters or relationships.

Romance3/5

Why this rating?

Teen attraction, dating-related hopes, kissing, and relationship complications are recurring secondary elements.

Frightening scenes2/5

Why this rating?

Some tense moments regarding the protagonist's mental state and emotional fragility.

Sexual content & nudity1/5

Why this rating?

Contains minor references to typical teenage sexual curiosity and conversation.

Alcohol or drugs2/5

Why this rating?

Includes references to past substance use by a character, depicted as part of their history.

Violence1/5

Why this rating?

Includes descriptions of emotional distress and internal conflict, with very limited physical aggression.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5

Why this rating?

Focuses on the courage required to be honest about one's mistakes and vulnerabilities.

Creativity & curiosity2/5

Why this rating?

Music, writing, online organizing, and collaborative creativity help characters express themselves and build connection.

Diverse representation2/5

Why this rating?

Includes some varied family situations, mental-health experiences and LGBTQIA representation, but the central cast and perspective remain mostly white and relatively narrow.

Educational value2/5

Why this rating?

Provides insight into the experience of living with social anxiety and the impact of suicide on families.

Kindness & empathy3/5

Why this rating?

Support, inclusion, friendship, and empathy are important, while the story also shows how misplaced kindness can cause harm.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

Emphasizes honesty, accountability, mental-health support, empathy, and the harmful consequences of exploiting grief or hiding behind an online story.

Good role models2/5

Why this rating?

Characters show compassion and growth, but the protagonist makes serious deceptive choices before confronting their consequences.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What message do you think the story most wants you to remember?
How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
Which choice in DEAR EVAN HANSEN: THE NOVEL would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in DEAR EVAN HANSEN: THE NOVEL, and what caused that change?

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