Something is wrong at my house
Diane Davis
Something is wrong at my house
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Book about Parents' Fighting
by Diane Davis
The text is written at a 1st 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
The muffled thumps and whispers behind the closed door make your heart pound fast. You want to understand why things feel so different and scary at home. Sometimes, the quiet hides big feelings, but there’s hope waiting just around the corner.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book sensitively addresses domestic violence from a child’s perspective, showing a young narrator seeking and eventually receiving help. It is designed for early readers aged 5-8, with simple text paired with illustrations, making it accessible for a wide age range. Parents should be aware that it tackles challenging family issues in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Something is wrong at my house 6ME
Something is wrong at my house is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Something is wrong at my house works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Something is wrong at my house as 6ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Family Violence.
Thematically, Something is wrong at my house explores family, emotional safety, and help-seeking — 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 family, emotional safety, help-seeking.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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
6ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
- 9781884734656
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Parenting Press
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction