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Special problems in child and adolescent behavior

Larry E. Beutler, Richard Greene

Cover of Special problems in child and adolescent behavior

Special problems in child and adolescent behavior

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Larry E. Beutler, Richard Greene

Reading Level 8 12ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The sharp beep of the classroom timer fills the air as Tommy feels his heart race. Sometimes, his feelings get tangled up like a knotted kite string, and he just can’t seem to make them right. What if understanding these puzzles could help him and his friends find new ways to shine?

Themes

Behavior TherapyChild PsychopathologyDisability RepresentationMental HealthComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This book explores various behavioral challenges faced by children and adolescents, providing insights into behavior therapy and child psychopathology. It is intended for middle-grade readers aged 9 to 12 and offers educational content that can foster understanding and empathy toward mental health issues. Parents should note that the book addresses complex topics such as developmental disabilities using accessible language appropriate for its audience.

Why we rated Special problems in child and adolescent behavior 12ME

Special problems in child and adolescent behavior is written at a Level 8 reading level across 404 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Special problems in child and adolescent behavior works for readers up to grade 10.0.

We rate Special problems in child and adolescent behavior as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, Special problems in child and adolescent behavior explores behavior therapy, child psychopathology, disability representation, mental health, and coming of age — 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 behavior therapy, child psychopathology, disability representation.

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

12ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
7
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

404 pages
ISBN
0877622531
Pages
404
Publisher
Technomic Pub. Co.
Published
1978
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Behavior Therapy for ChildrenChild PsychopathologyMental RetardationAdolescenceChild PsychologyBehavior TherapyIntellectual Disability