Taking Sides
Patrick Jones
Taking Sides
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patrick Jones
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What really happened the night their mother died? Todd and Tina both saw it, but they tell very different stories about their dad. Now Todd has to decide whose side to believe—and the truth might be harder than he ever imagined.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores complex family dynamics and differing perspectives following a tragic event that leads to foster care placement. Suitable for ages 9-12, it addresses themes of family conflict, violence, and truth-seeking, with emotional intensity that may prompt important conversations. Parents should be aware of depictions of family violence and the challenges of foster care.
Why we rated Taking Sides 9IE
Taking Sides is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 104 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Taking Sides works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Taking Sides as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Foster care.
Thematically, Taking Sides explores family, foster care, violence, sibling relationships, and truth and perspective — 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 family, foster care, violence.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781467758000
- Pages
- 104
- Publisher
- Darby Creek TM
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction