How to Swear
Stephen Wildish
How to Swear
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An Illustrated Guide (Dictionary for Swear Words, Funny Gift, Book About Cursing)
by Stephen Wildish
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Have you ever wondered if you're really swearing the right way? Imagine a guide that spills all the secrets behind salty words—their history, how to use them, and why they make people laugh or gasp. But what happens when you discover swearing is more than just naughty words?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book offers a humorous and educational look at the art and history of swearing, aimed at middle-grade readers. It includes explanations of slang, etymology, and the social context of curse words, using charts and fun facts to engage kids. Parents should note the book explores language considered vulgar, but in a lighthearted and informative manner appropriate for ages 9-12.
Why we rated How to Swear 9LS
How to Swear is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, How to Swear works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate How to Swear as 9LS ("Light — Social") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, How to Swear explores humor, language & linguistics, 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 humor, language & linguistics, coming of age.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LS — Light — SocialLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Little Wolf's book of badness
Ian Whybrow
Little Wolf's book of badness
Ian Whybrow
How to Swear Around the World
Jason Sacher
How to Swear Around the World
Jason Sacher
But they spit, scratch, and swear!
Mary Steiner Whelan
But they spit, scratch, and swear!
Mary Steiner Whelan
Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Steve Mockus
Pocket Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Steve Mockus
How to Spell It
Harriet Wittels
How to Spell It
Harriet Wittels
Little Bird's bad word
Jacob Grant
Little Bird's bad word
Jacob Grant
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781452167763
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Nonfiction