Pollution: the food we eat
Claire Jones
Pollution: the food we eat
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Claire Jones
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
You’re standing in the middle of a busy kitchen, watching as colorful fruits and crunchy vegetables are washed. Suddenly, a strange smell fills the air—could something be wrong with the food? What secrets are hiding in what we eat every day?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This informational fiction book explores the presence of additives, bacterial contamination, and agricultural chemicals in our food supply. Designed for readers aged 9-12, it introduces important food safety topics in an accessible way while encouraging critical thinking about everyday choices. Parents should note it addresses food contamination realistically but without graphic detail.
Why we rated Pollution: the food we eat 9LP
Pollution: the food we eat is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pollution: the food we eat works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Pollution: the food we eat as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Pollution: the food we eat explores food contamination, food safety, science & nature, and health awareness — 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 food contamination, food safety, science & nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0822506343
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Lerner Publishing Group
- Published
- 1972
- Type
- Fiction