I bought this for my nine year old daughter in hopes that she might be able to relate to some of the stories. She read the book from cover to cover in a short period of time and was really affected by the stories of the other tweens. But, I think parents should be aware that many of the stories focus on grief and despair and cover topics like divorce, illnesses, and even death. There are some really heart breaking accounts in this book, but they are also stories of strong children who are able to overcome in the end. If your child comes from a home where they have not come face to face with these issues, be prepared for lots of questions. My daughter was even a bit scared. I honestly think that the recommended age of nine may be cutting it a little close and would instead wait until your child is a little older.