The other side of the family
Maureen Pople
The other side of the family
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Maureen Pople
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
Here's a secret: Katherine was sent far away from England to stay with a grandmother who seems to dislike her very existence. But when she arrives, everything she thought she knew about her family starts to change—and that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during World War II, this middle-grade novel follows fifteen-year-old Katherine, who is sent from England to Australia for safety and must live with a grandmother reputed to be unfriendly. The story explores family secrets and historical context appropriate for ages 9-12, with mild emotional themes related to war and family dynamics.
Why we rated The other side of the family 9LE
The other side of the family is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 167 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The other side of the family works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The other side of the family as 9LE ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fear & Anxiety, Loss & Grief.
Thematically, The other side of the family explores family, historical, grandmothers, world war, and multicultural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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 family, historical, grandmothers.
Maybe not for
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 080500758X
- Pages
- 167
- Publisher
- Henry Holt Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 1988
- Type
- Fiction