This is a house
Colleen Stanley Bare
This is a house
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Colleen Stanley Bare
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered how a house gets built from the very beginning? Imagine watching giant machines, busy workers, and lots of teamwork as a simple plan turns into a real home. But what surprises and challenges will happen along the way?
Quick Assessment
This picture-rich book takes young readers through the step-by-step process of building a house, from initial architectural plans to moving in. It's an engaging introduction to construction concepts suited for early readers aged 5 to 8. The content is straightforward and educational, with no content concerns.
Why we rated This is a house 7C
This is a house is written at a Level 2 reading level across 31 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is a house works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate This is a house as 7C ("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, This is a house explores science & nature, adventure, and family — 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 science & nature, adventure, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 0525650903
- Pages
- 31
- Publisher
- Dutton Juvenile
- Published
- 1992
- Type
- Fiction