Child abuse
Elaine Landau
Child abuse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An American Epidemic
by Elaine Landau
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Child abuse is a hidden problem that affects millions of kids, but this book sheds light on the truth and shows how brave children and helpers fight back. Understanding what abuse looks like can make all the difference — because knowing is the first step to stopping it.
Quick Assessment
This book offers a clear and age-appropriate exploration of child abuse, including its causes and prevention strategies. It provides valuable resources and support information for children and families, making it a useful tool for educating middle-grade readers about a difficult but important topic.
Why we rated Child abuse 9IE
Child abuse is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 138 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Child abuse works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Child abuse as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse.
Thematically, Child abuse explores social justice, family, and survival — 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 social justice, family, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 067168874X
- Pages
- 138
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction