The boys and girls book about divorce
Richard A. Gardner
The boys and girls book about divorce
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
with an introduction for parents
by Richard A. Gardner
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here's a secret: sometimes families change in ways you never expected. When moms and dads decide to live apart, it can feel confusing and lonely, but there’s a way to understand those feelings and find your own path forward. And that’s only the beginning of a journey toward healing and hope.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book addresses the complex emotions children experience during and after their parents' divorce. It gently guides readers aged 9-12 through understanding their feelings and encourages resilience with supportive messages grounded in empathy and faith. Parents should note the inclusion of religious themes and honest discussions about emotional challenges related to family change.
Why we rated The boys and girls book about divorce 9ME
The boys and girls book about divorce is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 159 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The boys and girls book about divorce works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The boys and girls book about divorce as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Divorce & Family Change, Fear & Anxiety, Emotional Loss & Grief.
Thematically, The boys and girls book about divorce explores family, coming of age, emotional resilience, and faith & spirituality — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, emotional resilience.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Understanding Issues - Divorce (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Understanding Issues - Divorce (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Mommy and daddy are divorced
Patricia Perry
Mommy and daddy are divorced
Patricia Perry
Kids Book about Divorce
Ashley Simpo
Kids Book about Divorce
Ashley Simpo
Our family got a divorce
Carolyn E. Phillips
Our family got a divorce
Carolyn E. Phillips
Divorce and Loss
Joshua Ehrlich
Divorce and Loss
Joshua Ehrlich
The smart kid's guide to divorce
Christine Petersen
The smart kid's guide to divorce
Christine Petersen
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0876686641
- Pages
- 159
- Publisher
- Jason Aronson, Incorporated
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Fiction