Hey, That's My Soul You're Stomping on
Barbara Corcoran
Hey, That's My Soul You're Stomping on
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Barbara Corcoran
The text is written at a 4th 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
Rachel's summer isn't what she expected—while her parents argue about divorce, she discovers that even grown-ups have their own tough battles to face. Sometimes, the biggest problems aren't the ones you think, and seeing this changes everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows sixteen-year-old Rachel as she navigates her parents' potential divorce during a summer stay with her grandparents. The story thoughtfully explores family dynamics and personal challenges, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who are ready to engage with themes of family change and emotional growth.
Why we rated Hey, That's My Soul You're Stomping on 9ME
Hey, That's My Soul You're Stomping on is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 138 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hey, That's My Soul You're Stomping on works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Hey, That's My Soul You're Stomping on as 9ME ("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, Hey, That's My Soul You're Stomping on explores family, divorce & family change, coming of age, and literary fiction — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, divorce & family change, coming of age.
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
9ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0689306172
- Pages
- 138
- Publisher
- Atheneum Books
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction