Maltreatment and the school-age child
Phyllis T. Howing
Maltreatment and the school-age child
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Developmental Outcomes and System Issues
by Phyllis T. Howing
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.
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About This Book
What happens when kids don't get the care they need? Imagine trying to grow up strong while facing tough challenges at home and school. How can we help these children find hope and support?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book explores the challenges faced by neglected and abused school-age children in the United States, combining research insights with real case studies. It offers practical recommendations for supporting child development and improving services for this vulnerable group. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it addresses serious topics with sensitivity and is suitable for readers ready to engage with meaningful social issues.
Why we rated Maltreatment and the school-age child 9IE
Maltreatment and the school-age child is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 177 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Maltreatment and the school-age child works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Maltreatment and the school-age child as 9IE ("Intense — 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — 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, Maltreatment and the school-age child explores child development, social justice, family, psychology, and services for children — 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 child development, social justice, family.
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
9IE — Intense — 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781560242918
- Pages
- 177
- Publisher
- Psychology Press
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction