How to talk with your child about sexuality
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
How to talk with your child about sexuality
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Planned Parenthood Federation of America
The text is written at a 6th 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
Talking about sex might seem tricky, but it’s actually one of the most important conversations you can have. This book shows you how to answer big questions honestly and clearly, so you and your parents can understand each other better. Knowing what to say—and when to say it—can make all the difference as you grow up.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This guide offers parents clear, age-appropriate language and strategies to discuss sexuality with their children from preschool through adolescence. It addresses common questions kids ask at different stages, emphasizing open communication and trust-building. Suitable for children ages 9-12, it supports families in fostering healthy, ongoing dialogue about sex and relationships.
Why we rated How to talk with your child about sexuality 11LE
How to talk with your child about sexuality is written at a Level 6 reading level across 203 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, How to talk with your child about sexuality works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate How to talk with your child about sexuality as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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 talk with your child about sexuality explores parent and child, sex instruction for children, communication, and family — 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 parent and child, sex instruction for children, communication.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
Talking with your child about sex
Mary Steichen Calderone
Talking with your child about sex
Mary Steichen Calderone
The Focus on the family guide to talking with your kids about sex
J. Thomas Fitch
The Focus on the family guide to talking with your kids about sex
J. Thomas Fitch
Questions Kids Ask about Sex
Melissa R. Cox
Questions Kids Ask about Sex
Melissa R. Cox
Boy Talk
Lucienne Pickering
Boy Talk
Lucienne Pickering
Teaching human sexuality
Judy Cyprian
Teaching human sexuality
Judy Cyprian
Human Sexuality to Accompany Essential Health Skills for Middle School
Catherine A. Sanderson
Human Sexuality to Accompany Essential Health Skills for Middle School
Catherine A. Sanderson
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0385184433
- Pages
- 203
- Publisher
- Main Street Books
- Published
- 1986
- Type
- Fiction