Day by day
Thomas McNally
Day by day
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Notre Dame Prayer Book for Students
by Thomas McNally
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here's a secret: every day holds a new chance to find peace and strength through a simple prayer. These special words can guide you through challenges and joys alike, but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Day by Day offers daily prayers designed for middle-grade readers to support their spiritual growth and provide comfort during various life situations. This fiction devotional book is suitable for children aged 9-12 and gently introduces Christian themes and prayer practices without intense religious doctrine.
Why we rated Day by day 11LT
Day by day is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Day by day works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Day by day as 11LT ("Light — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Day by day explores christianity, prayer, religious education, and children's devotional — 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 christianity, prayer, religious education.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LT — Light — ThematicNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Day by Day
Thomas McNally, William G. Storey
Day by Day
Thomas McNally, William G. Storey
Daytime Prayers
Yolanda Browne
Daytime Prayers
Yolanda Browne
Day by Day
Bonnie Bernstein
Day by Day
Bonnie Bernstein
Prayers for a Child's Day
Laura Derico
Prayers for a Child's Day
Laura Derico
Prayer Time
Kathleen H. Barnes
Prayer Time
Kathleen H. Barnes
Not-so-quiet times
Tracy L. Harrast
Not-so-quiet times
Tracy L. Harrast
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780877931003
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Ave Maria Press
- Published
- December 1975
- Type
- Nonfiction