What can I do about this kid who--?
Marie Delaney
What can I do about this kid who--?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Teacher's Quick Guide to Dealing with Disruptive Pupils (and Their Parents)
by Marie Delaney
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: sometimes kids act out because they're trying to say something without words. Imagine unlocking the hidden messages behind tricky behaviors — but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the challenges teachers face with difficult students and how understanding behavior as communication can change classroom dynamics. It offers realistic scenarios highlighting parent-teacher collaboration and thoughtful approaches to managing behavior, suitable for ages 9-12.
Why we rated What can I do about this kid who--? 9LE
What can I do about this kid who--? is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What can I do about this kid who--? works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate What can I do about this kid who--? as 9LE ("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, What can I do about this kid who--? explores education, parent-teacher relationships, classroom management, and problem children — 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 education, parent-teacher relationships, classroom management.
- ✓ 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
9LE — 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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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781903269145
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Worth Publishers
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Nonfiction