Sick Simon
Dan Krall
Sick Simon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dan Krall
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Simon is the ultimate germ hero, sneezing and coughing without a care! But what happens when being sick turns into a big problem for everyone around him? Can Simon change before the germs win the day?
Quick Assessment
Sick Simon is a playful and relatable story about a young boy coping with a cold during flu season. It gently introduces children aged 5-8 to the importance of health-conscious habits, like covering sneezes and washing hands, through humor and lively illustrations. The story is appropriate for early readers and offers a lighthearted way to discuss germs and personal responsibility.
Why we rated Sick Simon 6C
Sick Simon is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sick Simon works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Sick Simon as 6C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Sick Simon explores health, humor, family, and school — 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 health, humor, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781442490970
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction