Walking this path together
Susan Strega, Jeannine Carriere, Sohki Aski Esquao
Walking this path together
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Anti-racist and Anti-oppressive Child Welfare Practice
by Susan Strega, Jeannine Carriere, Sohki Aski Esquao
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if the stories you hear about families were told in a whole new way? Imagine walking alongside children who face big challenges, but with courage and hope. Could changing how we care make all the difference?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book offers a thoughtful look at Indigenous children's experiences with social services in Canada, highlighting issues of racism and child welfare. It presents anti-racist and anti-oppressive approaches to child welfare practice through Indigenous perspectives. Suitable for ages 9-12, it introduces complex social themes in an accessible way without graphic content.
Why we rated Walking this path together 11IS
Walking this path together is written at a Level 6 reading level across 294 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Walking this path together works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Walking this path together as 11IS ("Intense — Social") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Walking this path together explores indigenous representation, social justice, family, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about indigenous representation, social justice, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IS — Intense — SocialReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Walking on dry land
Denis Kehoe
Walking on dry land
Denis Kehoe
Walk in peace
Simon Otto
Walk in peace
Simon Otto
An Aboriginal Family
National Clearinghouse on Family Violence (Canada)
An Aboriginal Family
National Clearinghouse on Family Violence (Canada)
Indigenous children at school
Anne Pedersen
Indigenous children at school
Anne Pedersen
Family realities
Lucy F. Wold
Family realities
Lucy F. Wold
Social Justice
Carol Wekesser
Social Justice
Carol Wekesser
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781552662922
- Pages
- 294
- Publisher
- Fernwood Publishing
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction