This is the year
Frederick Feikema Manfred
This is the year
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A New Translation with Commentary
by Frederick Feikema Manfred
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here's a secret: your mind is like a hidden map, full of paths and mysteries waiting to be explored. Imagine discovering how to unlock peace and happiness by understanding these secret trails. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book offers a thoughtful introduction to the Yoga-Sutra, an ancient text on Indian philosophy that explains how the mind works and how to find freedom from suffering. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it presents complex ideas in a clear and accessible way, supported by helpful commentary and context. Parents should note that the book explores themes of meditation and self-awareness but contains no graphic content.
Why we rated This is the year 12LT
This is the year is written at a Level 8 reading level across 623 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is the year works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate This is the year as 12LT ("Light — Thematic") 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 year explores philosophy, mindfulness, self-discovery, and spirituality — 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 philosophy, mindfulness, self-discovery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LT — Light — ThematicNo 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Mindfulness
Brenda Taylor
Mindfulness
Brenda Taylor
Change your way of thinking
Herbie Brennan
Change your way of thinking
Herbie Brennan
My Favorite Time of the Year
Jim McEachern
My Favorite Time of the Year
Jim McEachern
The existential imagination
Frederick Robert Karl
The existential imagination
Frederick Robert Karl
The magic story of success
Frederic Van Rensselaer Dey
The magic story of success
Frederic Van Rensselaer Dey
Time to Wonder
E. Evertts
Time to Wonder
E. Evertts
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0834825803
- Pages
- 623
- Publisher
- Shambhala Publications
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction