The making of a generation
Lesley Andres
The making of a generation
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Children of the 1970s in Adulthood
by Lesley Andres
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What happens when a whole generation steps into a world that’s shifting beneath their feet? Imagine finishing school only to face uncertain jobs and big changes at the same time. How do dreams survive when the future feels so unsure?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book explores the experiences of young adults from the late 1980s and early 1990s who encountered economic challenges and social change as they entered adulthood. It draws from long-term studies in Canada and Australia, examining how education and labor policies affected their health, well-being, and family life. Suitable for older teens, it offers a thoughtful look at social conditions without graphic content.
Why we rated The making of a generation 11MS
The making of a generation is written at a Level 6 reading level across 271 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The making of a generation works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The making of a generation as 11MS ("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 making of a generation explores social conditions, coming of age, family, and historical — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 social conditions, coming of age, family.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MS — Moderate — SocialLight 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780802092588
- Pages
- 271
- Publisher
- University of Toronto Press
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Nonfiction