Above the water of my sorrows
Pongo Publishing Teen Writing Project
Above the water of my sorrows
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Pongo teen writing from King County Juvenile Detention
by Pongo Publishing Teen Writing Project
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Some poems come from places you’d never expect — like inside a juvenile detention center. These words are powerful, raw, and real, showing how kids can rise above their hardest moments. It proves that even in tough times, hope and courage can shine through.
Themes
Quick Assessment
"Above the Water of My Sorrows" is a collection of poetry written by young people in juvenile detention in King County, Seattle. These poems reflect personal experiences with trauma, including abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, offering a therapeutic outlet and insight into their emotional journeys. The content is suitable for early readers but may require parental guidance due to mature themes presented in a sensitive, age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Above the water of my sorrows 8ME
Above the water of my sorrows is written at a Level 3 reading level across 98 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Above the water of my sorrows works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Above the water of my sorrows as 8ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Trauma, Abuse, Neglect, Exposure to Violence.
Thematically, Above the water of my sorrows explores poetry, youth voices, trauma recovery, juvenile justice, and emotional expression — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about poetry, youth voices, trauma recovery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780996740906
- Pages
- 98
- Publisher
- Pongo Publishing
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction