Family and the handicapped child
Sheila Hewett
Family and the handicapped child
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Study of Cerebral Palsied Children in Their Homes
by Sheila Hewett
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Sheila listens carefully as a mother shares her day caring for her child who moves differently from others. The house is full of challenges, but also filled with love and determination. What will happen when a new visitor arrives with questions that no one has asked before?
Quick Assessment
This book presents the real-life experiences of mothers raising children with cerebral palsy, offering an intimate look into their daily challenges and triumphs. Based on interviews with 180 families, it provides a valuable perspective on family dynamics and caregiving from the viewpoint of parents themselves. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it delivers thoughtful insight without pity, promoting understanding and empathy.
Why we rated Family and the handicapped child 11ME
Family and the handicapped child is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Family and the handicapped child works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Family and the handicapped child as 11ME ("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, Family and the handicapped child explores disability representation, family, coming of age, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about disability representation, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Parents and Young Mentally Handicapped Children
Helen McConachie
Parents and Young Mentally Handicapped Children
Helen McConachie
You and Your Child
Sheila Hollins
You and Your Child
Sheila Hollins
Children with handicaps
Mark L. Batshaw
Children with handicaps
Mark L. Batshaw
You and Your Child
Sheila Hollins
You and Your Child
Sheila Hollins
Severely handicapped young children and their families
Jan Blacher
Severely handicapped young children and their families
Jan Blacher
Families of handicapped persons
James John Gallagher, Peter Vietze
Families of handicapped persons
James John Gallagher, Peter Vietze
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780202309514
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Transaction Publishers
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction