Continuing bonds
Dennis Klass, Phyllis R. Silverman, Steven L. Nickman
Continuing bonds
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
New Understandings of Grief
by Dennis Klass, Phyllis R. Silverman, Steven L. Nickman
The text is written at a 7th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if the people we love never really leave us, even when they're gone? Imagine discovering that memories and feelings can keep connections alive in surprising ways. But how do you hold on without being stuck in the past?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Continuing Bonds is a middle-grade fiction book exploring the emotional experience of grief and bereavement from a child's perspective. It thoughtfully addresses how children and parents cope with loss, incorporating cross-cultural insights to deepen understanding. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book handles sensitive topics with care and emotional insight.
Why we rated Continuing bonds 12ME
Continuing bonds is written at a Level 7 reading level across 361 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Continuing bonds works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Continuing bonds as 12ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Continuing bonds explores grief, bereavement, family, and cross-cultural understanding — 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 grief, bereavement, family.
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
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Parental grief
Dennis Klass
Parental grief
Dennis Klass
Memories Live Forever
Sharon Rugg
Memories Live Forever
Sharon Rugg
Helping Children Cope with Grief
Alan D. Wolfelt
Helping Children Cope with Grief
Alan D. Wolfelt
Beyond Endurance
Ronald J. Knapp
Beyond Endurance
Ronald J. Knapp
Phantom limb
Janet Sternburg
Phantom limb
Janet Sternburg
Helping Bereaved Parents
Richard G. Tedeschi
Helping Bereaved Parents
Richard G. Tedeschi
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781560323396
- Pages
- 361
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Fiction