Going home
Roger Bullock
Going home
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Return of Children Separated from Their Families
by Roger Bullock
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.
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About This Book
The creak of old floorboards and the familiar scent of grandma's kitchen fill the air, but everything feels different this time. Imagine stepping back into a place you once called home, unsure if it still feels like yours. What does it really mean to go back when the past has left its mark?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the complex emotions and challenges children face when returning home from institutional care. Aimed at ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of family separation and reunification, providing insight into the psychological impact of these experiences. The story is suitable for young readers ready to engage with thoughtful reflections on belonging and change.
Why we rated Going home 11LE
Going home is written at a Level 6 reading level across 263 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Going home works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Going home as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Separation & Loss, Emotional Complexity.
Thematically, Going home explores family, separation, homecoming, and psychological growth — 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 family, separation, homecoming.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 185521329X
- Pages
- 263
- Publisher
- Dartmouth Publishing Company
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Nonfiction