Things to know about death and dying
Lisa Ann Marsoli
Things to know about death and dying
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lisa Ann Marsoli
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Death is a part of life that everyone will face, but understanding it can make it less scary. This book explains what happens when someone dies, from how our bodies change to the special ways people say goodbye. Knowing these things helps us feel brave and ready for tough moments.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader introduces children ages 5-8 to the concept of death in a gentle, factual manner. It covers topics such as physical death, funerals, mourning, and hospice care, helping young readers understand and process loss. Appropriate for sensitive readers, it provides clear explanations without graphic content and supports conversations about grief and mortality.
Why we rated Things to know about death and dying 7ME
Things to know about death and dying is written at a Level 2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Things to know about death and dying works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Things to know about death and dying as 7ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Things to know about death and dying explores death, family, social practices, and psychological understanding — 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 death, family, social practices.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0382069692
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Silver Burdett & Ginn
- Published
- 1985
- Type
- Fiction