The good psychologist
Noam Shpancer
The good psychologist
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Noam Shpancer
The text is written at a 6th 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.
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About This Book
Imagine a psychologist who thinks he can keep his feelings and work separate—until a new client, an exotic dancer with a big secret, changes everything. His careful world starts to shake, and suddenly, helping others means facing his own fears and mysteries. What happens when the line between doctor and patient starts to blur?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the complex world of psychotherapy through the eyes of a psychologist who takes on a challenging client. It delves into themes of anxiety, personal boundaries, and family relationships, including an unresolved connection with a child. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story contains mature emotional themes handled with sensitivity and humor, though parents may want to discuss the nuanced treatment of professional and personal boundaries.
Why we rated The good psychologist 11ME
The good psychologist is written at a Level 6 reading level across 238 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The good psychologist works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The good psychologist as 11ME ("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, 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The good psychologist explores psychologists, mental health, family, coming of age, and humor — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about psychologists, mental health, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780805092592
- Pages
- 238
- Publisher
- Henry Holt and Company
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction