Like father, like son
Marilyn Kaye
Like father, like son
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marilyn Kaye
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.
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About This Book
Chris Skinner's dad vanished for years, but now he's back—and he needs something only Chris can give: a bone marrow transplant. Family can be complicated, but what if saving your dad means facing secrets that change everything? This is a story about how far you'll go when blood really is thicker than water.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of family, identity, and the complex emotions surrounding a parent's return after a long absence. It includes the serious topic of a medical transplant, which may prompt thoughtful conversations about health and family bonds. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, it offers a compelling story that balances emotional depth with age-appropriate content.
Why we rated Like father, like son 9LP
Like father, like son is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 133 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Like father, like son works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Like father, like son as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Family Change, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Like father, like son explores family, identity, and cloning — 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 family, identity, cloning.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0553487485
- Pages
- 133
- Publisher
- Skylark
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction