Sidewalk story
Sharon Bell Mathis
Sidewalk story
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sharon Bell Mathis
Illustrated by Carty, Leo, illustrator
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The crunch of footsteps on broken glass fills the quiet street as a little girl notices her best friend's family packing up their life. The smell of worn cardboard boxes and hope mixes in the air around the old apartment building. With a heart full of courage, she wonders how far she'll go to keep her friend close.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This story follows a nine-year-old African American girl who faces the challenge of her best friend's family being evicted from their apartment. Geared towards early readers aged 5 to 8, it gently explores themes of friendship and community within an urban setting. Parents should note it addresses housing insecurity in an age-appropriate, sensitive way.
Why we rated Sidewalk story 8LE
Sidewalk story is written at a Level 3 reading level across 58 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sidewalk story works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Sidewalk story as 8LE ("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, Sidewalk story explores friendship, juvenile fiction, apartment houses, african americans, and fiction — 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 friendship, juvenile fiction, apartment houses.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein
Sidewalk Chalk
Carole Boston Weatherford
Sidewalk Chalk
Carole Boston Weatherford
The Sidewalk patrol
Larry Dane Brimner
The Sidewalk patrol
Larry Dane Brimner
The Sidewalk Rescue
Robert Maynard Hutchins
The Sidewalk Rescue
Robert Maynard Hutchins
Cracks in the Sidewalk
Crystal Bowman
Cracks in the Sidewalk
Crystal Bowman
Sycamore Street
C. B. Christiansen
Sycamore Street
C. B. Christiansen
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780590000826
- Pages
- 58
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 1971
- Type
- Fiction