Sexual abuse
Jean Goodwin
Sexual abuse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Incest Victims and Their Families
by Jean Goodwin
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.
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About This Book
Some stories reveal truths that many keep hidden. This book shines a brave light on the difficult topic of family secrets and the courage it takes to heal. Understanding these stories matters because it helps us know the importance of safety and support.
Quick Assessment
This book addresses the sensitive and serious issue of sexual abuse within families, focusing on the experiences of victims and their path toward healing through psychotherapy. It is intended for middle-grade readers aged 9-12 and approaches the topic with clinical insight, highlighting real emotional challenges survivors face. Parents should note the mature themes and consider discussing the content with their children to provide support and context.
Why we rated Sexual abuse 11VE
Sexual abuse is written at a Level 6 reading level across 269 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sexual abuse works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Sexual abuse as 11VE ("Vivid — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Abuse, Family Trauma.
Thematically, Sexual abuse explores family, mental health, psychotherapy, and survival — 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 family, mental health, psychotherapy.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11VE — Vivid — EmotionalGraphic or sustained depictions of trauma, violence, or mature content.
Content Flags
Was our "Very Intense" 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
- 0815135378
- Pages
- 269
- Publisher
- Year Book Medical Publishers
- Published
- 1989
- Type
- Nonfiction