book

FIVE FEET APART

Name: FIVE FEET APART
Author: Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

Stella and Will are in love, but they can't get within five feet of each other. (Ages 12 to 17)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The accessible prose suits teens, but the story includes serious illness, transplant complications, grief, death, medical danger, and emotionally intense romance. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

Romance5/5
Death of a character4/5
Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience4/5
Kindness & empathy4/5
Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5

Why this rating?

Death and serious decline are central themes, including the loss of a major young character and grieving.

Graphic injury1/5

Why this rating?

Some medical procedures and health complications are described in a realistic, clinical manner.

Strong language2/5

Why this rating?

Occasional mild swearing and profanity consistent with contemporary teen dialogue.

LGBTQIA characters1/5

Why this rating?

Features a secondary character who is gay, but it is not a primary focus.

Romance5/5

Why this rating?

The story centers on the growing romantic relationship between two hospitalized teens, including strong attraction, longing, and emotional intimacy.

Frightening scenes3/5

Why this rating?

The fear comes from the life-threatening nature of the protagonists' illnesses and the constant proximity to death.

Sexual content & nudity1/5

Why this rating?

Contains some mild romantic intimacy and discussion of personal desires, but no explicit sexual content.

Alcohol or drugs1/5

Why this rating?

Medical substances are used for treatment; there is no recreational drug or alcohol use.

Violence1/5

Why this rating?

There is no physical violence.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5

Why this rating?

The characters face chronic illness, isolation, grief, and uncertainty with persistence and emotional bravery.

Creativity & curiosity2/5

Why this rating?

Characters find creative ways to interact and maintain their connection despite severe physical limitations.

Diverse representation2/5

Why this rating?

Includes some diversity in terms of background and personal identity, though it is not the primary focus of the book.

Educational value2/5

Why this rating?

Provides insight into the life of someone living with cystic fibrosis and the complexities of chronic illness management.

Kindness & empathy4/5

Why this rating?

Friendship, caregiving, empathy, and support among patients, families, and medical staff are important elements.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

It emphasizes love, autonomy, medical responsibility, friendship, grief, and making meaningful choices under difficult limits.

Good role models3/5

Why this rating?

The protagonists show great maturity and self-awareness, though they occasionally make reckless choices in pursuit of connection.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
Which choice in FIVE FEET APART would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in FIVE FEET APART, and what caused that change?

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