Greasy grimy gopher guts
Josepha Sherman
Greasy grimy gopher guts
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Subversive Folklore of Childhood
by Josepha Sherman
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered why some rhymes sound so funny and a little bit gross? Imagine a world where creepy crawly creatures and silly sayings swirl together in a playful dance of words. What secrets do these strange and silly rhymes hide beneath their funny sounds?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This collection offers a rich exploration of traditional children's rhymes and parodies that include themes such as illness, bodily functions, and other mature topics presented in a folkloric context. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it introduces complex subjects through playful language and rhyme, making it a thought-provoking choice for middle-grade readers. Parents should be aware that some content involves mature themes like sex and death, handled in a folkloric and humorous style.
Why we rated Greasy grimy gopher guts 11ME
Greasy grimy gopher guts is written at a Level 6 reading level across 248 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Greasy grimy gopher guts works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Greasy grimy gopher guts as 11ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Content, Death, Bodily Functions.
Thematically, Greasy grimy gopher guts explores folklore, rhyming games, and humor — 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 folklore, rhyming games, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 0874834236
- Pages
- 248
- Publisher
- August House Pub Incorporated
- Published
- 1995
- Type
- Fiction