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The great Skinner strike

Stephanie S. Tolan

Cover of The great Skinner strike

The great Skinner strike

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Stephanie S. Tolan

Reading Level 4-5 9MS 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

What if your mom decided to stop doing all the chores until everyone treats her fairly? Imagine how your family and neighbors might react when she takes a stand for better working conditions at home. Could this strike change everything you thought you knew about family and fairness?

Themes

FamiliesMothers and daughtersWomen's rightsJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows fourteen-year-old Jenny Skinner as her mother initiates a strike to demand fair treatment for the unpaid labor she performs at home. The story explores family dynamics, community reactions, and themes around women's rights, making it suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the book thoughtfully addresses social issues like gender roles and family responsibilities without graphic content.

Why we rated The great Skinner strike 9MS

The great Skinner strike is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The great Skinner strike works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The great Skinner strike as 9MS ("Moderate — Social") 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 social complexity — 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 great Skinner strike explores families, mothers and daughters, women's rights, and juvenile fiction — 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 families, mothers and daughters, women's rights.

Maybe not for

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

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

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
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

112 pages
ISBN
9780027893601
Pages
112
Publisher
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Published
1983
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

FamiliesMothersMothers and DaughtersWomen's RightsStrikes and Lockouts