A study in student development
Richard P. Rettig
A study in student development
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Rebellion and Delinquency as Alternative Responses to Schooling
by Richard P. Rettig
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What happens when a high school student faces choices that could change everything? Imagine walking the halls where friendships are tested and secrets hide behind every door. Can one student find the courage to make things right, or will the pressures of growing up pull them under?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the challenges faced by American high school students, focusing on themes of juvenile delinquency and adolescent psychology. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, it offers insight into social conditions impacting youth, presenting complex issues in an accessible way without graphic content. Parents should note the book addresses serious topics thoughtfully, providing a platform for discussion about personal choices and growth.
Why we rated A study in student development 9ME
A study in student development is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 194 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A study in student development works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate A study in student development as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, A study in student development explores adolescent psychology, juvenile delinquency, high school social conditions, coming of age, and friendship — 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 adolescent psychology, juvenile delinquency, high school social conditions.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0882475894
- Pages
- 194
- Publisher
- R & E Research Associates
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Nonfiction