This Makes Me Scared
Courtney Carbone
This Makes Me Scared
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Dealing with Feelings
by Courtney Carbone
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The sharp sting of chlorine tickles your eyes and the cold water wraps around you like a chilly blanket. Every splash echoes in the busy pool, and all eyes seem to watch your every move. Facing the fear of swim lessons feels like stepping into the unknown, but courage is just beneath the surface.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader gently explores the common fear of swim lessons through a relatable story about a young boy learning to manage his anxiety. With simple, repetitive text and calming techniques demonstrated by the instructor, children ages 5-8 are encouraged to name their feelings and build confidence. The book supports emotional literacy in a sensitive, reassuring way and includes engaging stickers to enhance the reading experience.
Why we rated This Makes Me Scared 7LE
This Makes Me Scared 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 Makes Me Scared works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate This Makes Me Scared as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, This Makes Me Scared explores fear, emotional literacy, swimming, and children's fiction — 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 fear, emotional literacy, swimming.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
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Based on content and theme analysis
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781635650815
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- National Geographic Books
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Nonfiction