Period
JoAnn Loulan
Period
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by JoAnn Loulan
Illustrated by Chris Wold Dyrud
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The gentle rustle of pages turns as you learn about the new feelings and changes your body is starting to show. There's the soft warmth of discovery and the quiet courage it takes to understand something new about growing up. These moments of change can feel big, but you're not alone in them.
Themes
Quick Assessment
"Period" offers a clear, straightforward explanation of the physical and emotional changes girls experience during puberty, tailored for ages 9 to 12. This revised edition includes a helpful parents' guide and addresses common questions, including a sensitive introduction to pelvic exams. With 60 informative illustrations, it's an excellent resource for supporting young readers through this important stage of development.
Why we rated Period 10C
Period is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Period works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Period as 10C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Health - Maturing.
Thematically, Period explores girls & women, health & daily living - maturing, and juvenile nonfiction — 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 girls & women, health & daily living - maturing, juvenile nonfiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780613775823
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- June 2003
- Type
- Fiction