Television and the American family
Jennings Bryant
Television and the American family
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennings Bryant
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The hum of a TV fills the room, casting flickering shadows on the walls where a family gathers. What stories does this glowing box tell, and how does it change the way families talk, laugh, or even argue? Behind the screen, a bigger question lingers: how does television shape the heart of family life?
Quick Assessment
This book offers a thoughtful exploration of how television influences American families, backed by research from experts in communication, psychology, sociology, and education. It covers how families watch TV, how they appear on screen, and the effects this has on relationships and family dynamics. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, it encourages critical thinking about media consumption without sensationalism.
Why we rated Television and the American family 12MT
Television and the American family is written at a Level 7 reading level across 385 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Television and the American family works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Television and the American family as 12MT ("Moderate — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Television and the American family explores family, science & nature, and social justice — 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, science & nature, social justice.
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
12MT — Moderate — ThematicLight 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Children and television
Cedric Cullingford
Children and television
Cedric Cullingford
Television
Michael Teitelbaum
Television
Michael Teitelbaum
Children and television
Dafnah Lamish
Children and television
Dafnah Lamish
Children and television
Brian Simpson
Children and television
Brian Simpson
Television & America's children
Edward L. Palmer
Television & America's children
Edward L. Palmer
Television and child development
Judith Page Van Evra
Television and child development
Judith Page Van Evra
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0805801162
- Pages
- 385
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction