I Should Be Me
Julianne Desautels
I Should Be Me
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Julianne Desautels
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: sometimes, the hardest person to be is yourself. A little girl wrestles with feelings of doubt and dreams of being someone else, but what she discovers changes everything — and that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This rhyming story by Julianne Desautels gently explores themes of self-esteem and self-acceptance through the eyes of a young girl. Suitable for children ages 9-12, it encourages readers to embrace their individuality and build self-reliance in a heartfelt and accessible way.
Why we rated I Should Be Me 10C
I Should Be Me is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, I Should Be Me works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate I Should Be Me as 10C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance.
Thematically, I Should Be Me explores stories in rhyme, self-esteem & self-reliance, fiction, and children's books/ages 4-8 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about stories in rhyme, self-esteem & self-reliance, fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780965252706
- Publisher
- Make Me Believe Books
- Published
- June 1996
- Type
- Fiction