Taking Sides
Diana S DelCampo
Taking Sides
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Childhood and Society
by Diana S DelCampo
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
This book shows how every stage of growing up is a big deal, from the tiniest baby steps to the tricky teenage years. You'll see why each phase shapes who you are and why understanding it can change the way we think about growing up. Knowing these secrets helps us all get along better and learn more about ourselves.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Taking Sides is a middle-grade fiction book that explores the four key developmental stages of childhood: infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. It introduces readers to important concepts in child development and social science through engaging storytelling, making complex ideas accessible for ages 9-12. The narrative encourages empathy and understanding of the challenges children face as they grow.
Why we rated Taking Sides 12C
Taking Sides is written at a Level 7 reading level across 387 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Taking Sides works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Taking Sides as 12C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Taking Sides explores education, educational psychology, philosophy, social science, and children's studies — 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 education, educational psychology, philosophy.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 9780072917253
- Pages
- 387
- Publisher
- Dushkin/McGraw-Hill
- Published
- October 13, 2003
- Type
- Nonfiction