Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt
Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Learning about Addictive Behavior
by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt
The text is written at a 8th 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.
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About This Book
The sharp smell of smoke drifts through the air, mixing with the distant clink of bottles. Imagine discovering why some kids start using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, and how it changes their lives. What choices will help them find their way back to hope and health?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This informative book explores the causes, effects, and treatments of addiction among adolescents, covering topics such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use. Written for readers aged 9-12 with a grade 8 reading level, it provides age-appropriate explanations while addressing complex subjects like genetics, family influence, and advertising. Parents should be aware that the book discusses substance abuse realistically but without graphic detail.
Why we rated Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco 12ME
Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is written at a Level 8 reading level across 640 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Substance Use.
Thematically, Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco explores substance abuse, compulsive behavior, family, and health education — 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 substance abuse, compulsive behavior, family.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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.
Content Flags
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 002865756X
- Pages
- 640
- Publisher
- Macmillan Reference USA
- Published
- 2003
- Type
- Nonfiction