Those other people
Alice Childress
Those other people
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alice Childress
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Some teachers are heroes, but what if one breaks the trust of everyone? When a brave boy and a student teacher see something terrible happen, they must stand up against the unfairness, even if it means facing bigotry and danger. Their courage could change everything — but will anyone listen?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This novel explores challenging themes such as sexual assault, bigotry, and prejudice within a high school setting. It features mature topics including racism and homophobia, making it more suitable for older middle-grade readers (ages 11-12) who can handle complex social issues. Parents should be prepared to discuss these important but sensitive subjects with their children.
Why we rated Those other people 9IE
Those other people is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 186 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Those other people works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Those other people as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Assault, Racial Prejudice, Homophobia.
Thematically, Those other people explores prejudice, racism, sexual assault, lgbtq+ representation, and high school life — 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 prejudice, racism, sexual assault.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 0399215107
- Pages
- 186
- Publisher
- Putnam Juvenile
- Published
- 1989
- Type
- Fiction