What Do I Do Now?
Susan Kuklin
What Do I Do Now?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Talking About Teen Pregnancy
by Susan Kuklin
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
This book reveals the real challenges teens face when unexpected pregnancy changes everything. It shows that tough choices and big emotions are part of growing up, but understanding them can make a difference. Knowing what to do now matters more than ever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
What Do I Do Now? by Susan Kuklin is a realistic fiction book aimed at teens aged 13-18, exploring the complex issues surrounding teen pregnancy and dating. It addresses emotional, social, and practical challenges that adolescents may face, providing a thoughtful perspective suitable for mature young readers. Parents should be aware that it covers sensitive topics related to relationships and pregnancy with honesty and care.
Why we rated What Do I Do Now? 9IE
What Do I Do Now? is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What Do I Do Now? works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate What Do I Do Now? 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the intense intensity score.
Thematically, What Do I Do Now? explores social issues - dating and sex, social situations - dating and sex, social situations - pregnancy, social issues - pregnancy, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 - dating and sex, social situations - dating and sex, social situations - pregnancy.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — 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.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780613873208
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- January 2001
- Type
- Nonfiction