Monkey Taming
Judith Fathallah
Monkey Taming
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Judith Fathallah
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What if a tiny, fierce voice inside you told you that being skinny was the only way to be safe and accepted? Imagine Jessica, just thirteen, battling this fiery Monkey inside her that grows louder every day. Can she find a way to tame this monster before it takes over her life completely?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the intense struggles of a young girl facing an eating disorder and her journey through adolescence and mental health challenges. It realistically portrays the emotional and psychological impact of such conditions, including time spent in a psychiatric unit, with moments of dark humor and hope. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of mature themes related to mental illness and eating disorders.
Why we rated Monkey Taming 12IE
Monkey Taming is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Monkey Taming works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Monkey Taming as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mental Health, Illness & Injury.
Thematically, Monkey Taming explores adolescence, mental health, 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 adolescence, mental health, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781909531413
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Anchor
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction