Playground Push-Around (Bully & Victim Activity Book (K-2))
Jim Boulden
Playground Push-Around (Bully & Victim Activity Book (K-2))
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Bully and Victim
by Jim Boulden
Illustrated by Phil Fountain
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The loud thud of sneakers on the playground echoes through the air as Luis feels a knot tighten in his stomach. Every teasing word from Butch feels like a push he can’t escape. But what if Luis could find a way to stand tall and make the playground a kinder place?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader addresses bullying by exploring the feelings and motivations of both the victim and the bully. Through the guidance of a school counselor, children learn strategies for standing up for themselves and fostering peace. Suitable for ages 5-8, it includes discussion questions to help young readers reflect on their own experiences with bullying.
Why we rated Playground Push-Around (Bully & Victim Activity Book (K-2)) 7LE
Playground Push-Around (Bully & Victim Activity Book (K-2)) is written at a Level 2 reading level across 16 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Playground Push-Around (Bully & Victim Activity Book (K-2)) works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Playground Push-Around (Bully & Victim Activity Book (K-2)) as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Playground Push-Around (Bully & Victim Activity Book (K-2)) explores friendship, bullying, family, social justice, and sports & recreation — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, bullying, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781878076366
- Pages
- 16
- Publisher
- Boulden Publishing
- Published
- February 1, 1994
- Type
- Fiction