Every Day (2015) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The book contains several scenes of kissing and physical affection between A (in various bodies) and Rhiannon. While there are descriptions of attraction and the physical sensation of different bodies, sexual activity is generally non-explicit or occurs off-page. One scene involves A being in the body of a girl having a physical encounter with a boyfriend, but it is handled with focus on A's discomfort and detachment. A also inhabits the body of a boy who is gay, leading to internal reflections on sexual…

Violence is relatively low, focusing more on emotional weight. There is a specific subplot involving a character who is suicidal, which includes a description of planning a self-harm event. A also encounters situations where host bodies have histories of fighting or self-neglect, but graphic physical altercations are minimal. In one instance, A inhabits a character who has been in a fight, feeling the residual soreness and bruising on the face. The threat of violence is more psychological, particularly through the…

Moderate use of profanity throughout, consistent with a YA audience. Words like 'hell,' 'damn,' 'shit,' and the occasional 'f-word' appear in dialogue to reflect the authentic voices of the teenage host bodies A inhabits. A character might shout an expletive in a moment of frustration, such as when Nathan Daldry feels his life is being sabotaged. Some mild insults are exchanged between teenage characters at parties or in high school hallways. However, the narration itself is largely philosophical and eloquent…

A inhabits various bodies including those of teenagers who smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. A often notes the physical tolls of these habits (like the craving for nicotine) but generally avoids indulging in substances unless the host body’s biology demands it or it is necessary to maintain cover. In one chapter, A wakes up in a body that is hungover, describing the headache and nausea in realistic detail. Another body belongs to a frequent marijuana user, and A notes the mental fog associated with the host's…

The novel deals heavily with identity, gender fluidity, and the ethics of 'borrowing' a life. Significant mature themes include depression, suicidal ideation, the transience of human connection, and the struggle for autonomy. Through the character of Kelsea, the narrative explores the depth of clinical depression and the impact of mental illness on families. A encounters different religious viewpoints through Reverend Poole, who presents a more cynical view of their shared condition. The ending emphasizes…