Okay for Now

Name: Okay for Now
Author: Gary D. Schmidt

Safe for the age band

Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.

Published: 2011
Ages: 11–15

About the book

A troubled boy in the late 1960s finds an unlikely friendship and a love for Audubon's paintings.

AI summary

A troubled boy in the late 1960s finds an unlikely friendship and a love for Audubon's paintings.

Why parents choose this book

What makes Okay for Now worth choosing

An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.

Best for

Age range: 11–15 (fits siblings across a range).
Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
Kids who tend to love it: Contemporary.
Personality fit: kids ages 11–15 who enjoy a good story.

Parents love this book because

Age-appropriate content for the 11–15 band with no significant flags.
Written by Gary D. Schmidt, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy Okay for Now if they…

Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 11–15

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 11–15 age band.

Things parents should know

Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
Language: clean language throughout.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time

Varies by reader

Length

Length varies by edition

Difficulty

Young adult

Works as read-aloud

Usually read independently

Good for independent readers

Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

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Why we recommend it

We think Okay for Now is a confident pick for the 11–15 age band. It leans into contemporary in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Gary D. Schmidt's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.