Dickens & Rumi

book

The Follow Me

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Sara Shepard · 2017

Is The Follow Me appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Follow Me by Sara Shepard. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Romance; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 2 · The AmateursSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · Romance 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 2/5
Series positionBook 2 · The Amateurs
Recommendation2.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 4/5
Recommendation 2.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
17Scored categories
17Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth17 scored categories17 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Romance3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity2/5
  • Diverse representation2/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 3 · Last SeenStrongest cautions: Frightening scenes 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · The AmateursAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · The Follow Me
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets more intense
  3. Book 3 · Last Seen
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

The novel is not primarily built around brands, products, advertising, or purchase-driven messaging.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

A death is central to the investigation, with danger and grief shaping the plot even when details are not graphically depicted.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Mentions of death and injury, but details are not graphic.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some mild profanity and typical YA name-calling may occur, without evidence of frequent strong language or slurs.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

LGBTQIA characters appear within the ensemble, but their representation is not the central focus of the story.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Teen relationships, crushes, and drama are central to the plot.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Ongoing stalking, threats, blackmail, pursuit, and uncertainty create substantial thriller tension, but this is not primarily horror or graphic violence.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional references to teen dating, flirting, and sexual situations.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Teen parties and alcohol use are referenced incidentally; the available evidence does not suggest detailed or strongly glamorized substance use.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes scenes involving bullying and the threat of harm.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Teen characters confront threats, uncertainty, and painful truths, although some actions are brave but notably reckless.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Involves inventive schemes for both investigation and deception.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Includes a reasonably diverse cast of characters.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into teen social dynamics and interpersonal conflict.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Moments of empathy exist but are often secondary to the central conflict.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes loyalty, truth-seeking, consequences of secrecy, and the risks of pursuing danger without adequate caution.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters are flawed teens dealing with difficult ethical dilemmas.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Follow Me would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Follow Me, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

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Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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