"If my dad's a sexaholic, what does that make me?"
Barbara Lair-Robinson
"If my dad's a sexaholic, what does that make me?"
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Barbara Lair-Robinson
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
The quiet creak of the floorboards mixes with the heavy silence in the house. You smell the faint scent of Dad’s cologne, but underneath it, something feels different — complicated and confusing. When your dad struggles with his own secret, what does that mean for you and your family?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This fictional story explores the impact of a parent's sex addiction on their child, drawing from the authors' therapeutic experience with adult children of sex addicts. Aimed at middle-grade readers, it sensitively addresses mental health and family dynamics while offering perspectives on recovery. Parents should note the mature themes handled with care, suitable for ages 9-12.
Why we rated "If my dad's a sexaholic, what does that make me?" 9ME
"If my dad's a sexaholic, what does that make me?" is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 184 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, "If my dad's a sexaholic, what does that make me?" works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate "If my dad's a sexaholic, what does that make me?" 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 — 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, "If my dad's a sexaholic, what does that make me?" explores mental health, family, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mental health, family, coming of age.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Adult Children and Their Dads
D. J. Young
Adult Children and Their Dads
D. J. Young
The laundry list
Tony A.
The laundry list
Tony A.
Drugs and Your Parents
Rhoda McFarland
Drugs and Your Parents
Rhoda McFarland
My father's keeper
Julie Gregory
My father's keeper
Julie Gregory
Daddy Gets a Diagnosis
Amy Liz Harrison
Daddy Gets a Diagnosis
Amy Liz Harrison
Children of Alcoholism
Barbara Wood
Children of Alcoholism
Barbara Wood
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0896382346
- Pages
- 184
- Publisher
- Compcare Publications
- Published
- 1991
- Type
- Fiction