Dickens & Rumi
Cover of I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU—FOR YOUNG ADULTS

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I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU—FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Chasten Buttigieg

Is I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU—FOR YOUNG ADULTS appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

The educator and advocate describes growing up gay in a small Midwestern town. (Ages 12 and up)

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? The memoir addresses anti-LGBTQ+ bullying, religious conflict, discrimination, mental-health struggles, and coming out with emotional honesty. The material is generally appropriate for teens but may merit adult discussion for younger 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 13+
Strongest cautionsLGBTQIA characters 5/5 · Religious themes 3/5 · Death of a character 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 5/5 · Positive messages 5/5
Recommendation4.5/5

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

The memoir addresses anti-LGBTQ+ bullying, religious conflict, discrimination, mental-health struggles, and coming out with emotional honesty. The material is generally appropriate for teens but may merit adult discussion for younger readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: lgbtqia characters.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 13+Main watch-out: LGBTQIA characters 5/5
Recommendation 4.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence 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 depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters5/5
  • Religious themes3/5
  • Death of a character2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Positive messages5/5
  • Diverse representation4/5

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BOOKThe last presentWendy Mass · 2013Ages 10+12 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKA Prisoner in FairylandAlgernon Blackwood · 1913Ages 10+12 points lighter on published cautionsSKANDAR AND THE PHANTOM RIDERA.F. SteadmanAges 10+6 points lighter on published cautionsSKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEFA.F. SteadmanAges 10+5 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Brief mentions of struggle and suicidal ideation, but no character deaths.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some instances of mild profanity or offensive terms used in the context of bullying.

LGBTQIA characters5/5
Why this rating?

Central theme of the memoir is the author's identity as a gay man.

Religious themes3/5
Why this rating?

Faith, church experiences, and the tension between religion and LGBTQ+ acceptance are meaningful parts of the author's story.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Discusses personal experiences with dating and finding partners.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Some descriptions of emotional fear and isolation.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Mild references to adolescent exploration and relationships.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional brief mentions of alcohol use in social settings.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Mentions bullying and physical altercations during childhood.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Central to the memoir is the courage required to be one's authentic self.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages personal reflection and artistic expression.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Focuses on personal lived experience as a gay individual and intersectional identity.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into the LGBTQ+ experience and social dynamics.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Supportive family members, friends, mentors, and community care are important, with empathy presented as a response to prejudice.

Positive messages5/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes of self-acceptance, resilience, and inclusivity.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The author models honesty, vulnerability, and advocacy.

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 I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU—FOR YOUNG ADULTS would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU—FOR YOUNG ADULTS, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

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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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