The child
Erich Neumann
The child
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Erich Neumann
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
There's a secret hidden inside every child, a mysterious world where feelings and thoughts swirl like a storm. Imagine discovering the hidden parts of yourself that even you don't fully understand yet—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the complex relationship between a mother and her child, focusing on themes of personality development and psychological growth. Suitable for ages 9-12, it introduces readers to concepts like ego and self-awareness in an accessible way without graphic content or mature themes.
Why we rated The child 11LE
The child is written at a Level 6 reading level across 225 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The child works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The child as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The child explores family, identity & self-discovery, and psychology — 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, identity & self-discovery, psychology.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0877735700
- Pages
- 225
- Publisher
- Shambhala Publications
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction