This is the way we go to school
Edith Baer
This is the way we go to school
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Book about Children Around the World
by Edith Baer
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
The bus rumbles down the dusty road as children climb aboard, laughter filling the air. Bikes whiz past, and boats bob gently on the water, carrying kids to school in surprising ways. But what happens when the journey takes an unexpected turn?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This picture book introduces young readers to the diverse ways children travel to school around the world, using simple text and vibrant illustrations. Suitable for ages 5 to 8, it encourages cultural awareness and curiosity about different lifestyles without any intense content. The book is a gentle exploration of transportation methods in various environments.
Why we rated This is the way we go to school 7C
This is the way we go to school is written at a Level 2 reading level across 22 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is the way we go to school works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate This is the way we go to school 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 the way we go to school explores juvenile literature, vehicles, multicultural, and adventure — 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 juvenile literature, vehicles, multicultural.
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
- 9780153076343
- Pages
- 22
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- 1998
- Type
- Fiction