The Turning of the Year
Bill Martin Jr.
The Turning of the Year
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bill Martin Jr.
Illustrated by Greg Shed
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Every month in this book is a beautiful surprise you never saw coming. From chilly January to cozy December, each page shows how the world changes in amazing ways—and it all matters because it’s the story of our whole year.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gently illustrated book celebrates the changing months and seasons, introducing young readers to the natural world through simple, engaging text appropriate for early readers aged 5-8. Its focus on nature and the passage of time supports foundational learning about the calendar year in an accessible and visually appealing way.
Why we rated The Turning of the Year 6C
The Turning of the Year is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 28 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Turning of the Year works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate The Turning of the Year as 6C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The Turning of the Year explores nature & the natural world, early learning, and seasonal changes — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about nature & the natural world, early learning, seasonal changes.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Round and Round the Year We Go
Carter Higgins
Round and Round the Year We Go
Carter Higgins
The year comes round
Sid Farrar
The year comes round
Sid Farrar
A year goes round
Karen B. Winnick
A year goes round
Karen B. Winnick
Seasons of the Year
Learning Horizons, Learning Horizons Staff
Seasons of the Year
Learning Horizons, Learning Horizons Staff
Month by month a year goes round
Carol Diggory Shields
Month by month a year goes round
Carol Diggory Shields
Seasons of the Year
Margaret Hall
Seasons of the Year
Margaret Hall
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780152045555
- Pages
- 28
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- September 1, 2007
- Type
- Fiction