Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs (Junior Drug Awareness)
Krista West
Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs (Junior Drug Awareness)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Krista West
The text is written at a 4th 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
Steroids aren’t just for athletes on TV—they’re sneaking into schools and playgrounds too. Discover the surprising science behind how these drugs work and why so many teens are tempted. Understanding the truth could change how you see sports and health forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book provides an informative look at steroid and performance-enhancing drug use among teens, explaining the science and social factors involved. It is suitable for young adults ages 13-18 and serves as a resource for discussing substance abuse prevention. Parents should note it covers real-world issues about drug use but in an age-appropriate nonfiction format.
Why we rated Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs (Junior Drug Awareness) 9MS
Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs (Junior Drug Awareness) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs (Junior Drug Awareness) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs (Junior Drug Awareness) as 9MS ("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 emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Substance Use.
Thematically, Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs (Junior Drug Awareness) explores social justice, science & nature, and health education — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about social justice, science & nature, health education.
- ✓ 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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9MS — 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
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
- 9780791097489
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Chelsea House Pub (L)
- Published
- September 30, 2008
- Type
- Nonfiction