Being frank
Donna W. Earnhardt
Being frank
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Donna W. Earnhardt
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Frank stands in front of his class, ready to tell the truth about his teacher’s breath. But what happens when his honesty makes everyone upset? Suddenly, Frank realizes that telling the truth isn’t always as simple as it seems.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Being Frank is a humorous picture book for early readers that explores the importance of honesty and tact. It follows Frank, a straightforward boy who learns from his Grandpa that telling the truth kindly matters as much as the truth itself. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story encourages compassion while addressing social interactions in a lighthearted way.
Why we rated Being frank 7LE
Being frank is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Being frank works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Being frank as 7LE ("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, Being frank explores family, friendship, honesty, grandparent and child, and humor — 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 family, friendship, honesty.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781936261192
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Flashlight Press
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction