My Secret
Jim Boulden
My Secret
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Parental Substance Abuse Activity Book
by Jim Boulden
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What happens when a secret feels too big to keep? Vanessa knows something hard about her family that she can’t tell anyone. How will she find the courage to face what’s inside her heart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader book gently explores the impact of parental substance abuse through the eyes of Vanessa, a young child. Suitable for ages 5-8, it introduces complex social issues in an accessible way, focusing on themes of friendship and emotional resilience. Parents should be aware that the story touches on drug abuse within a family setting but handles it with sensitivity appropriate for young readers.
Why we rated My Secret 7ME
My Secret is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My Secret works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate My Secret as 7ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Parental Substance Abuse.
Thematically, My Secret explores friendship, social issues, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, social issues, 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
7ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781878076137
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Boulden Pub
- Published
- December 1991
- Type
- Fiction