A good kiss
Marshall Stewart Ball
A good kiss
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Wisdom of a Listening Child
by Marshall Stewart Ball
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if the secret to happiness was hidden in simple questions and surprising answers? Imagine discovering that listening closely to God's love could change everything you think you know. Could understanding this wisdom unlock joy in your own life?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book uses poetry and aphorisms to explore themes of spirituality and understanding, especially aimed at children with developmental disabilities. It encourages young readers to reflect on happiness through listening to God's wisdom and love in an accessible and thoughtful way. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers gentle religious content without complex theological language.
Why we rated A good kiss 11C
A good kiss is written at a Level 6 reading level across 201 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A good kiss works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate A good kiss as 11C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, A good kiss explores developmentally disabled characters, religious poetry, children's writings, and spirituality — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about developmentally disabled characters, religious poetry, children's writings.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0743434625
- Pages
- 201
- Publisher
- Beyond Words/Atria Books
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction