This Is My Friend
Mercer Mayer
This Is My Friend
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
(Road to Reading)
by Mercer Mayer
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
Friendship isn’t always easy, but these two pals prove it’s worth every up and down. They face surprises together that show what real friends do when things get tricky. Discover why sticking together makes all the difference.
Quick Assessment
This gentle story explores the ups and downs of friendship through relatable experiences for early readers aged 5 to 8. Mercer Mayer offers simple, accessible language suitable for second-grade reading levels, emphasizing social-emotional learning without any concerning content. It’s a helpful book for discussing friendship dynamics and empathy with young children.
Why we rated This Is My Friend 7LE
This Is My Friend is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This Is My Friend works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate This Is My Friend as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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 My Friend explores friendship, family, and coming of age — 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 friendship, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalNo 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780307116857
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Golden Books
- Published
- February 1, 1990
- Type
- Fiction