How to kick the habit
Clifton Jack Alexander
How to kick the habit
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The drug withdrawal handbook
by Clifton Jack Alexander
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 happens when someone wants to stop a habit that’s really hard to break? Imagine facing tricky challenges and learning about different drugs and their effects. Can someone find the strength to kick the habit for good?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores the topic of drug abuse, describing various addictive substances, their effects, and the challenges of addiction. It offers insight into patterns of addiction and possible ways to overcome it, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note that the book addresses drug use and treatment in an age-appropriate manner without graphic detail.
Why we rated How to kick the habit 9ME
How to kick the habit is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 173 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, How to kick the habit works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate How to kick the habit 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, social complexity — 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 to kick the habit explores drug abuse, addiction, treatment, and coming of age — 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 drug abuse, addiction, treatment.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Addiction Treatment
Ida Walker
Addiction Treatment
Ida Walker
Addictive personality
Richard Juzwiak
Addictive personality
Richard Juzwiak
Preventing Addiction
John C. Fleming
Preventing Addiction
John C. Fleming
How To Keep Your Kids Off Drugs
Lisa Fine
How To Keep Your Kids Off Drugs
Lisa Fine
Teen Addiction (Contemporary Issues Companion)
Jill Karson
Teen Addiction (Contemporary Issues Companion)
Jill Karson
Adolescent Substance Abuse
John S. Wodarski
Adolescent Substance Abuse
John S. Wodarski
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0811902080
- Pages
- 173
- Publisher
- F. Fell
- Published
- 1972
- Type
- Fiction