Are You Doing Risky Things?
Renée C. Rebman
Are You Doing Risky Things?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Cutting, Bingeing, Snorting, and Other Dangers
by Renée C. Rebman
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
The sharp scent of smoke fills the air, and a nervous heartbeat pounds in your ears. What makes someone take dangerous risks like cutting or bingeing, even when they know it hurts? The answers are closer than you think, but understanding them could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores the causes and signs of various addictions such as cutting, bingeing, and snorting, aiming to raise awareness among readers aged 9-12. It offers explanations and guidance on how to recognize these behaviors and ways to support those struggling. The content is handled sensitively but deals with serious topics that may require parental guidance.
Why we rated Are You Doing Risky Things? 9ME
Are You Doing Risky Things? is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 114 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Are You Doing Risky Things? works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Are You Doing Risky Things? 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Substance Use, Self-Harm.
Thematically, Are You Doing Risky Things? explores psychology, substance abuse, mental health, and coming of age — 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 psychology, substance abuse, mental health.
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.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780766059993
- Pages
- 114
- Publisher
- Enslow Publishing, LLC
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction