Dickens & Rumi
Cover of INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Nicola Yoon

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

Giving up on love, Evie Thomas joins the La Brea Dance studio and meets Xavier. (Ages 12 to 17)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The book contains mild sexual content, references to grief, marital infidelity, and emotional maturity themes typical of young adult contemporary romance. 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 cautionsDeath of a character 4/5 · Romance 4/5 · Sexual content & nudity 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Kindness & empathy 4/5
Recommendation3.8/5

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

The book contains mild sexual content, references to grief, marital infidelity, and emotional maturity themes typical of young adult contemporary romance. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 14+Main watch-out: Death of a character 4/5
Recommendation 3.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
15Scored categories
15Evidence 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 depth15 scored categories15 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Romance4/5
  • Sexual content & nudity2/5

Strongest positives

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

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What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Death and mortality, including the possibility of losing someone close, are important emotional themes. The treatment is reflective rather than graphic.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild profanity consistent with contemporary teen dialogue.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

Features minor LGBTQIA representation among the supporting cast.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religion is not a focus of the narrative.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

Romance is the central plot and theme of the book, involving kissing and developing relationships.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

Visions of relationships ending and mortality may feel unsettling, but there is no horror, graphic danger, or sustained frightening action.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains some light suggestive content and discussion of intimacy, but no explicit scenes.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Alcohol consumption is occasionally mentioned in social contexts.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The characters must confront fear of loss and uncertainty, with courage framed as openness and living fully rather than recklessness.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creativity through dance and metaphorical explorations of human connection.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse cast of well-rounded characters in a contemporary urban setting.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides insights into the art of ballroom dancing and emotional intelligence.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Friendship, empathy, family care, and support during difficult emotional circumstances are recurring elements.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It emphasizes accepting uncertainty, valuing present relationships, facing grief, and choosing meaningful connection despite impermanence.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters are generally depicted as growing and learning from their 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 did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING, 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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