School Shootings
Lisa Idzikowski
School Shootings
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lisa Idzikowski
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Did you know that since 2009, there have been 288 school shootings in the United States? This shocking number reveals a serious problem in places that should feel safe. Understanding why these tragedies happen is the first step to making schools safer for everyone.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This nonfiction book addresses the difficult and sensitive topic of school shootings in the United States, presenting multiple perspectives on causes and potential solutions. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it offers a balanced exploration appropriate for ages 9-12, while encouraging thoughtful discussion about safety and gun control. Parents should be aware that the content deals with real-world violence and may prompt important conversations.
Why we rated School Shootings 9IE
School Shootings is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 120 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, School Shootings works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate School Shootings as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Realistic Violence, Physical Danger.
Thematically, School Shootings explores social justice, schools, and gun control — 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 social justice, schools, gun control.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781534505728
- Pages
- 120
- Publisher
- Greenhaven Publishing LLC
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction