Adolescents, family, and friends
Kandi M. Stinson
Adolescents, family, and friends
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Social Support After Parents' Divorce Or Remarriage
by Kandi M. Stinson
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Who do kids really turn to when life gets tricky? Imagine having friends, family, and parents all around you, but things change when families split or new people join. How does that affect who you can count on?
Quick Assessment
This book explores how adolescents' social support networks differ depending on whether they live with both biological parents, a divorced mother, or a mother and stepfather. Based on interviews with teens and their custodial parents, it examines the impact of family structure on the size and quality of support systems and adolescent well-being. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it offers insights into family dynamics, divorce, and remarriage without graphic content.
Why we rated Adolescents, family, and friends 9LE
Adolescents, family, and friends is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 171 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Adolescents, family, and friends works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Adolescents, family, and friends as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Adolescents, family, and friends explores family, friendship, coming of age, and social justice — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, coming of age.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0275934659
- Pages
- 171
- Publisher
- Praeger
- Published
- 1991
- Type
- Nonfiction