Cover of Little & Lion

Little & Lion

by Brandy Colbert

Reading Level 5-6 Moderate (Lvl 3) Ages 13+

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Returning home to Los Angeles, Suzette reconnects with her family, friends, and a new crush, all while supporting her stepbrother Lionel, who is navigating bipolar disorder. As emotions deepen and relationships become complicated, Suzette must face difficult choices to protect those she loves and understand herself better. This heartfelt story explores the challenges of mental health, identity, and the power of forgiveness.

Representation & Themes

LGBTQ+ RepresentationFamilyMental HealthComing of AgeRomance

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 3 — Moderate
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Mental Health Emotional: Loss & Grief Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery Emotional: Fear & Anxiety
Data confidence: high

Details

ISBN
9780316349000
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published
2017
Type
Fiction
Word Count
75,565
Lexile
820L

Genres

Young Adult Fiction

Subjects

Young adult fictionFamiliesBrothers and sistersJuvenile fictionBisexualityFamily lifeFictionMental illnessDating (Social customs)Manic-depressive illnessChildren's fictionBrothers and sisters, fictionFamily life, fictionCalifornia, fictionDating (social customs), fictionMental illness, fictionLGBTQ young adultStonewall Book Awardscollection:mike_morgan_larry_romans_childrens_young_adult_literature_award=winner