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The child mental status examination

Jerome D. Goodman

Cover of The child mental status examination

The child mental status examination

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jerome D. Goodman

Reading Level 4-5 9MT Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

This book reveals a surprising secret: understanding a child's mind can be like solving a thrilling mystery! By exploring how children move and act, you uncover clues about their feelings and thoughts, showing why every little detail matters.

Themes

Child PsychiatryPsychological Tests for ChildrenMental Status ExaminationScience & NatureEducational

Quick Assessment

This book introduces children ages 9-12 to the basics of child psychiatry and mental status examinations through an engaging, fictional framework. It gently explores psychological concepts by integrating neurological observations into a playful narrative, making complex topics approachable. Parents should note that it presents medical themes in a simplified, age-appropriate way without distressing content.

Why we rated The child mental status examination 9MT

The child mental status examination is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 134 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The child mental status examination works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The child mental status examination as 9MT ("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, The child mental status examination explores child psychiatry, psychological tests for children, mental status examination, science & nature, and educational — 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 child psychiatry, psychological tests for children, mental status examination.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9MT — Moderate — Thematic
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Moderate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

134 pages
ISBN
1568211872
Pages
134
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published
1994
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Child PsychiatryPsychological Tests for ChildrenMental Status ExaminationPsychological TestsPsychological InterviewInfantChild