I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise
Erma Bombeck
I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Children Surviving Cancer
by Erma Bombeck
The text is written at a 5th 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.
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About This Book
What if your biggest wish was to grow hair again, to feel like a kid your age, and to visit a place you've only dreamed of? Imagine facing the toughest battle with a brave heart and an unbreakable spirit. But when the fight feels endless, how do you keep hope alive?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the lives of children bravely battling cancer, highlighting their courage and resilience. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of illness and optimism without graphic content. Parents should be aware it touches on emotional challenges related to serious illness.
Why we rated I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise 10ME
I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise 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 Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise as 10ME ("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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Loss & Grief, Physical/Safety: Illness & Injury.
Thematically, I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise explores psychological aspects, optimism, cancer in children, coming of age, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about psychological aspects, optimism, cancer in children.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780517080603
- Publisher
- Harpercollins
- Published
- February 24, 1992
- Type
- Fiction