Someone Special Died (Kids Have Feelings, Too)
Joan Singleton Prestine
Someone Special Died (Kids Have Feelings, Too)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Joan Singleton Prestine
Illustrated by Virginia Kylberg
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
She sits quietly, holding a small, empty spot where someone special used to be. The world feels different now, and her heart is full of questions. What will she do with all these big feelings?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gently illustrated picture book helps young children understand and express feelings of grief after losing a loved one. It addresses complex emotions like loneliness, anger, and sadness in an accessible way, suitable for early readers aged 5 to 8. Parents should be aware that the book deals directly with death and bereavement but in a sensitive, child-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Someone Special Died (Kids Have Feelings, Too) 7ME
Someone Special Died (Kids Have Feelings, Too) is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Someone Special Died (Kids Have Feelings, Too) works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Someone Special Died (Kids Have Feelings, Too) as 7ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Someone Special Died (Kids Have Feelings, Too) explores death, bereavement, family, emotional growth, and friendship — 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 death, bereavement, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780866539296
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Fearon Teacher Aids
- Published
- June 1993
- Type
- Fiction