Sad
Savina Collins
Sad
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Savina Collins
Illustrated by DuFalla, Anita, illustrator
The text is written at a 1st 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
Have you ever felt a wave of sadness wash over you? Carlos feels that way too, but what makes him so sad? Discover how he faces his feelings and what happens next.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle story explores the emotion of sadness through the experiences of a young boy named Carlos. Designed for early readers aged 5 to 8, it offers a thoughtful look at recognizing and managing feelings in a relatable way. The book is appropriate for young children and supports emotional literacy without intense content.
Why we rated Sad 6LE
Sad is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sad works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Sad as 6LE ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Sad explores emotions, children, and conduct of life — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about emotions, children, conduct of life.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
- 9781683421429
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- I Have Feelings
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction