Steroids
Scott E. Lukas
Steroids
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Scott E. Lukas
Drug Library
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Discover the hidden dangers of steroid use through the story of athletes who face tough choices about their bodies and health. Explore the powerful impact steroids have on both mind and body, and hear firsthand from a bodybuilder who has battled addiction and found a way to heal. This eye-opening tale sheds light on the pressures and consequences surrounding performance-enhancing drugs.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 7 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include drug abuse, health effects, emotional: identity & self-discovery. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Steroids 12MS
Steroids is written at a Level 7 reading level across 112 pages (approximately 19,075 words). Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Steroids works for readers up to grade 9.0.
Read aloud, Steroids runs about 2.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Steroids as 12MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Drug Abuse, Health Effects, Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery.
Thematically, Steroids explores sports, health & wellness, social justice, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, health & wellness, social justice.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12MS — Moderate — SocialReal 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
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 089490471X
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Enslow Publishers
- Published
- 1994
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 19,075
- Read-Aloud
- ~2h 7m
- Text Density
- Standard