Values Matter
Darlene Cunningham, Dawn Gauslin, Sean Lambert
Values Matter
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Stories of the Beliefs & Values That Shaped Youth with a Mission
by Darlene Cunningham, Dawn Gauslin, Sean Lambert
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if the values you believe in could change the whole world? Imagine a group of young people, guided by a powerful voice, setting out on missions to every nation. But how do these values shape their journey, and what secrets do they hold?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Values Matter explores the foundational beliefs and values that have guided the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) movement since 1960. Through inspiring stories, the book illustrates how these principles shape young missionaries' lives and impact communities worldwide. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it offers insight into Christian missions with a focus on self-esteem and self-reliance.
Why we rated Values Matter 11C
Values Matter is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Values Matter works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Values Matter as 11C ("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, Values Matter explores social issues - self-esteem & self-reliance, juvenile nonfiction, faith & spirituality, and adventure — 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 social issues - self-esteem & self-reliance, juvenile nonfiction, faith & spirituality.
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
11C — 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
- 9781562399610
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Abdo Pub Co
- Published
- April 2000
- Type
- Fiction