How do you lose those ninth grade blues?
Barthe DeClements
How do you lose those ninth grade blues?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Barthe DeClements
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if you changed everything about yourself, but the hardest part was still believing you’re lovable? Imagine being fifteen and facing old fears that sneak back just when you think you’re winning. Can Elsie find the courage to trust love before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of self-esteem and emotional growth through the story of Elsie, a fifteen-year-old girl overcoming past struggles with obesity. It sensitively addresses psychological aspects related to self-image and relationships, making it suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the story deals with internal emotional challenges but contains no graphic content.
Why we rated How do you lose those ninth grade blues? 9ME
How do you lose those ninth grade blues? is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 137 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, How do you lose those ninth grade blues? works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate How do you lose those ninth grade blues? 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, How do you lose those ninth grade blues? explores coming of age, family, psychological growth, and friendship — 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 coming of age, family, psychological growth.
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Nothing's fair in fifth grade
Barthe DeClements
Nothing's fair in fifth grade
Barthe DeClements
I'm tired of being overweight
Silvie Boutaudou
I'm tired of being overweight
Silvie Boutaudou
6th Grade Can Really Kill You
Barthe DeClements
6th Grade Can Really Kill You
Barthe DeClements
Getting over the blues
Kim Frank
Getting over the blues
Kim Frank
Rescuing the Emotional Lives of Overweight Children
Sylvia Rimm
Rescuing the Emotional Lives of Overweight Children
Sylvia Rimm
Fat chance
Lesléa Newman
Fat chance
Lesléa Newman
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780590409698
- Pages
- 137
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Fiction