Standing on my own two feet
Tamara Schmitz
Standing on my own two feet
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Child's Affirmation of Love in the Midst of Divorce
by Tamara Schmitz
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What happens when your family changes and you have two homes instead of one? Addison feels the love from both his mom and dad, even as things around him shift. Can he find the strength to stand tall through it all?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gently illustrated picture book addresses the theme of divorce in a way that's accessible for early readers aged 5 to 8. It reassures children that love remains constant despite family changes and encourages resilience and positivity. The story is suitable for young children experiencing or learning about family transitions.
Why we rated Standing on my own two feet 6LE
Standing on my own two feet is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 33 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Standing on my own two feet works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Standing on my own two feet as 6LE ("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, Standing on my own two feet explores family, divorce, and emotional resilience — 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, divorce, emotional resilience.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780843132212
- Pages
- 33
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction