Drawing a blank
Emily Doyle Iland
Drawing a blank
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Improving Comprehension for Readers on the Autism Spectrum
by Emily Doyle Iland
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The scratch of pencil on paper fills the quiet room as ideas swirl unseen. Imagine trying to understand stories when the words look clear but the meaning hides just out of reach. What if you could unlock the secret to reading not just words, but the feelings and stories behind them?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Drawing a Blank offers a thoughtful exploration of reading comprehension challenges faced by children on the autism spectrum. This resource provides practical, evidence-based strategies for educators and parents to support both decoding and comprehension skills in young readers. Suitable for ages 9-12, it promotes understanding and effective learning approaches tailored to students with autism.
Why we rated Drawing a blank 11LE
Drawing a blank is written at a Level 6 reading level across 266 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Drawing a blank works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Drawing a blank as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Drawing a blank explores reading disability, teachers of children with disabilities, aids and devices, reading comprehension, and autism spectrum disorders — 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 reading disability, teachers of children with disabilities, aids and devices.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781934575772
- Pages
- 266
- Publisher
- AAPC Publishing
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Nonfiction