Going, Going, Gone
Susan Jonas
Going, Going, Gone
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Vanishing Americana
by Susan Jonas
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Did you know there are treasures from the past that are vanishing right before our eyes? From the hum of rotary phones to the magic of drive-in movies, these stories unlock secrets of a world that once was—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book offers a collection of seventy-one engaging essays that explore fading elements of American life and culture, such as vintage technology and social customs. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it provides an informative and nostalgic look at history without intense content, making it a thoughtful choice for ages 9-12.
Why we rated Going, Going, Gone 9C
Going, Going, Gone is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 175 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Going, Going, Gone works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Going, Going, Gone as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Going, Going, Gone explores americana, social life and customs, material culture, and historical — 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 americana, social life and customs, material culture.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780811820097
- Pages
- 175
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books LLC
- Published
- 1998
- Type
- Fiction