Getting over the blues
Kim Frank
Getting over the blues
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Kid's Guide to Understanding and Coping with Unpleasant Feelings and Depression
by Kim Frank
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here's a secret: sometimes feelings can feel like big, heavy clouds that won’t go away. But what if you could learn to chase those clouds away and bring back the sunshine? That’s just the start of a whole new way to understand your feelings.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle fiction book helps children aged 5-8 recognize and understand their emotions, particularly feelings of sadness or depression. It introduces young readers to the idea that they have control over their reactions and offers simple coping strategies to manage negative feelings. The book is appropriate for early readers and supports emotional development in a sensitive, age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Getting over the blues 8ME
Getting over the blues is written at a Level 3 reading level across 64 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Getting over the blues works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Getting over the blues as 8ME ("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, Getting over the blues explores emotions, mental health, coming of age, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about emotions, mental health, 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
8ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Depression and Stress
Katie Marsico
Depression and Stress
Katie Marsico
Depression
Chrissie Verduyn
Depression
Chrissie Verduyn
Overcoming Depression and Low Mood in Young People
Nicky Dummett
Overcoming Depression and Low Mood in Young People
Nicky Dummett
Depression
Emma Carlson Berne
Depression
Emma Carlson Berne
My Life Beyond Depression
HeyGee
My Life Beyond Depression
HeyGee
Recovering from depression
Mary Ellen Copeland
Recovering from depression
Mary Ellen Copeland
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0932796753
- Pages
- 64
- Publisher
- Educ Media Producers Council
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Nonfiction