Peddling Poison
Clete Snell
Peddling Poison
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Tobacco Industry and Kids
by Clete Snell
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
Tobacco companies have tried to trick kids for years, but the battle is far from over. This story reveals how brave people are standing up to powerful tobacco giants to protect young lives. What happens next could change the future for all kids.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores the recent political and legal battles surrounding tobacco control and its impact on youth. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it introduces readers to complex social issues like drug addiction and the tobacco industry's influence, providing a thoughtful look at public health and advocacy. Parents should note the book deals with substance abuse themes in an age-appropriate way without graphic content.
Why we rated Peddling Poison 9MS
Peddling Poison is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 188 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Peddling Poison works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Peddling Poison as 9MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from social complexity — 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Peddling Poison explores drug addiction & substance abuse, social science, sociology, and coming of age — 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 drug addiction & substance abuse, social science, sociology.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9MS — Moderate — SocialLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780275982393
- Pages
- 188
- Publisher
- Praeger
- Published
- July 30, 2005
- Type
- Nonfiction