Dickens & Rumi
Cover of GIRLS LIKE GIRLS

book

GIRLS LIKE GIRLS

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Hayley Kiyoko

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

Two girls struggle with their feelings for each other. (Ages 13 to 18)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? Teen romance and LGBTQIA+ identity are handled with emotional depth, alongside family conflict, grief, alcohol or drug references, and some sexual situations. The prose is accessible for older middle-school and high-school readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 14+
Strongest cautionsLGBTQIA characters 5/5 · Romance 5/5 · Alcohol or drugs 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Positive messages 4/5
Recommendation3.5/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: lgbtqia characters.

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

Quick context

What parents should know

Teen romance and LGBTQIA+ identity are handled with emotional depth, alongside family conflict, grief, alcohol or drug references, and some sexual situations. The prose is accessible for older middle-school and high-school readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: lgbtqia characters.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 14+Main watch-out: LGBTQIA characters 5/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
17Scored categories
17Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 22, 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 age14+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters5/5
  • Romance5/5
  • Alcohol or drugs2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Diverse representation3/5

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What should you do next?

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Lower cautionsTry something gentlerLIGHTLARK SAGAOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleTHE WAY I USED TO BECompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than GIRLS LIKE GIRLS. Open each review for the details.

LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+6 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKThe SingingAlison Croggon · 2008Ages 13+5 points lighter on published cautionsHADESAlexandra AdornettoAges 14+4 points lighter on published cautionsHALOAlexandra AdornettoAges 13+4 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Mentions of period-appropriate pop culture and brands for setting the scene.

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist's mother died previously; it influences the emotional tone.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild profanity appropriate for a young adult novel.

LGBTQIA characters5/5
Why this rating?

Explores a queer relationship as the primary narrative focus.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religious backgrounds may be mentioned as part of the characters' social setting.

Romance5/5
Why this rating?

Romantic attraction, dating, kissing, jealousy, and emotional relationship choices are central to the story.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Some emotional anxiety and tense social situations.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Includes descriptions of kissing and romantic encounters, but no explicit sexual activity.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional social use of alcohol or nicotine in high school party settings.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Contains minor verbal conflict and some high school social aggression.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Strong focus on the courage required to live authentically in a restrictive environment.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Creative expression and personal identity appear in the story, though imaginative or inventive problem-solving is not a major focus.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Features diverse queer experiences and interpersonal dynamics.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

It offers incidental insight into queer teenage experiences and emotional growth, but is not primarily instructional.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Characters learn the value of empathy and supporting one another.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and navigating complex relationships.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters display realistic growth and learning from mistakes.

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 are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in GIRLS LIKE GIRLS would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in GIRLS LIKE GIRLS, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

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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