Children exposed to violence
Margaret Mary Feerick, Gerald B. Silverman
Children exposed to violence
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Margaret Mary Feerick, Gerald B. Silverman
The text is written at a 6th 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
What happens when children see things that scare them? Imagine living in a world where violence is all around, and every day feels uncertain. How can they find hope and safety when the shadows keep growing?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores the difficult experiences of children exposed to violence, including family and community conflicts. It aims to raise awareness and foster empathy while highlighting the need for support and prevention. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles sensitive topics with care but may prompt important conversations about safety and resilience.
Why we rated Children exposed to violence 11IE
Children exposed to violence is written at a Level 6 reading level across 267 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Children exposed to violence works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Children exposed to violence as 11IE ("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, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Family Violence, Abuse, Terrorism.
Thematically, Children exposed to violence explores abused children, family violence, children and violence, and terrorism — 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 abused children, family violence, children and violence.
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.
- ! 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
11IE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781557668042
- Pages
- 267
- Publisher
- Brookes Publishing Company
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction