Things about to disappear
Allen Wier
Things about to disappear
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Stories
by Allen Wier
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
There’s a secret about the things around you—some are vanishing without anyone noticing. What if the ordinary could disappear at any moment, and only you could see the clues? But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade collection by Allen Wier features short fictional stories that explore themes of change and loss in subtle, imaginative ways. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it encourages reflection on impermanence without heavy emotional intensity. The book contains no mature content and is appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Things about to disappear 9LE
Things about to disappear is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 113 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Things about to disappear works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Things about to disappear 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Things about to disappear explores fiction short stories, change, and imagination — 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 fiction short stories, change, imagination.
Maybe not for
- ! 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.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 080710471X
- Pages
- 113
- Publisher
- Louisiana State University Press
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction