On children and death
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
On children and death
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
The text is written at a 6th 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 happens when someone you love is very sick and might not get better? Imagine trying to understand big feelings like fear and sadness while hoping for a miracle. How do you find hope when everything feels so hard?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This sensitive book by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross addresses the emotional challenges faced by families of terminally ill or deceased children. Written in accessible language for middle-grade readers, it offers comfort and guidance on coping with grief and loss. Parents should be aware that the book deals with serious themes of death and dying, suitable for children aged 9-12 who are ready to explore these topics.
Why we rated On children and death 11IE
On children and death is written at a Level 6 reading level across 279 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, On children and death works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate On children and death as 11IE ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the intense intensity score.
Thematically, On children and death explores family, emotional growth, grief and loss, and psychological aspects — 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, emotional growth, grief and loss.
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
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0025671103
- Pages
- 279
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Fiction