Having their say
David Crimmens, Andrew West
Having their say
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Young People's Participation : European Experiences
by David Crimmens, Andrew West
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Children across Europe aren’t just being heard—they’re shaping the future! Discover how kids like you are stepping up to help make big decisions that affect their lives. Their voices are changing the world, and that’s a powerful story to know.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book explores how children and young people in various European countries actively participate in political and social decisions affecting their lives, highlighting the implementation and impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Suitable for ages 9-12, it presents these themes in an accessible fiction format, encouraging awareness of children’s rights and civic engagement without intense content.
Why we rated Having their say 9LS
Having their say is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 150 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Having their say works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Having their say as 9LS ("Light — Social") 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, Having their say explores children's rights, social participation, government policy, civic engagement, and youth empowerment — 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 children's rights, social participation, government policy.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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
9LS — Light — SocialNo 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
International Perspectives and Empirical Findings on Child Participation
Tali Gal
International Perspectives and Empirical Findings on Child Participation
Tali Gal
Politics, Citizenship and Rights
Kirsi Pauliina Kallio, Sarah Mills, Tracey Skelton
Politics, Citizenship and Rights
Kirsi Pauliina Kallio, Sarah Mills, Tracey Skelton
Children as citizens?
Childwatch International Citizenship Study Group
Children as citizens?
Childwatch International Citizenship Study Group
Children's rights
Eugeen Verhellen
Children's rights
Eugeen Verhellen
Children's rights and powers in a changing world
Mary John
Children's rights and powers in a changing world
Mary John
Children as fellow citizens
Micha de Winter
Children as fellow citizens
Micha de Winter
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781898924784
- Pages
- 150
- Publisher
- Russell House Pub Limited
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Nonfiction