Facing Grief
Susan Wallbank
Facing Grief
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Bereavement and the Young Adult
by Susan Wallbank
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The quiet rustle of leaves outside feels different when someone you love is gone. You notice every small change—the empty chair, the soft silence in the house—and it all weighs heavy on your heart. Facing grief is like walking through a storm, but finding your way to the calm on the other side.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Facing Grief thoughtfully explores the emotional and physical challenges young adults face after experiencing a major loss. Aimed at teens aged 13 to 18, this book provides sensitive insights into bereavement while acknowledging the fresh responsibilities many young adults encounter during this time. It is appropriate for readers dealing with loss or seeking understanding of grief's impact.
Why we rated Facing Grief 9ME
Facing Grief is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 126 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Facing Grief works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Facing Grief 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 — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Facing Grief explores loss (psychology), coping with death & bereavement, coming of age, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about loss (psychology), coping with death & bereavement, coming of age.
- ✓ 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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780718828073
- Pages
- 126
- Publisher
- James Clarke & Co.
- Published
- January 1, 1991
- Type
- Nonfiction