Doing Right
Patrick Jones
Doing Right
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patrick Jones
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What would you do if a fun night out suddenly turned into a big problem? DeQuin’s caught between his dad’s call for fighting and his grandfather’s advice to stay peaceful. Which choice will keep him safe—and keep his family together?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges DeQuin faces after a night out with friends goes wrong. It thoughtfully presents differing perspectives on conflict resolution from his father and grandfather, highlighting themes of family and personal choices. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging look at decision-making and consequences without graphic content.
Why we rated Doing Right 9ME
Doing Right is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 104 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Doing Right works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Doing Right as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Doing Right explores family, coming of age, african american experience, conflict resolution, and fathers and sons — 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 family, coming of age, african american experience.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781512460872
- Pages
- 104
- Publisher
- Darby Creek
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction