Drugs and the body
Lorrie Klosterman
Drugs and the body
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lorrie Klosterman
The text is written at a 4th 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
Here’s a secret: some substances can change your body and mind in ways you might never expect. From what happens inside when someone uses alcohol, ecstasy, or steroids to the surprises hiding beneath the surface. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This informative book offers a straightforward explanation of how various drugs affect the body, especially focusing on young readers aged 9-12. It covers the physiological impact of substances like alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, inhalants, and steroids, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices without being preachy. The content is suitable for middle-grade readers, providing factual information in a clear, accessible manner.
Why we rated Drugs and the body 9ME
Drugs and the body is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 156 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Drugs and the body works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Drugs and the body as 9ME ("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, physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Substance Use.
Thematically, Drugs and the body explores science & nature, health education, and social justice — 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 science & nature, health education, social justice.
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
9ME — 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
- 9780761426752
- Pages
- 156
- Publisher
- Marshall Cavendish
- Published
- 2006
- Type
- Fiction