What to Do When You're Scared and Worried
James J. Crist
What to Do When You're Scared and Worried
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Guide for Kids
by James J. Crist
The text is written at a 4th 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
Fear and worry aren’t just for grown-ups—kids face them too, and this book proves it’s okay to feel scared. Learn powerful tricks like Fear Chasers and Worry Erasers that turn big, scary feelings into small, manageable ones. Why does this matter? Because understanding your fears is the first step to beating them!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book offers practical advice and reassurance for children aged 9-12 who experience fear and anxiety. It explains the origins of common worries and provides strategies like Fear Chasers and Worry Erasers to help kids manage their emotions. Parents should note that it includes guidance on seeking help for more serious fears and panic attacks, making it a supportive resource for emotional development.
Why we rated What to Do When You're Scared and Worried 9ME
What to Do When You're Scared and Worried is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 152 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What to Do When You're Scared and Worried works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate What to Do When You're Scared and Worried as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") 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 — 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, What to Do When You're Scared and Worried explores emotions, mental health, self-discovery, friendship, and family — 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 emotions, mental health, self-discovery.
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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Help for worried kids
Cynthia G. Last
Help for worried kids
Cynthia G. Last
Helping Children Cope With Fears and Stress
Edward H. Robinson
Helping Children Cope With Fears and Stress
Edward H. Robinson
What Scares Me... and What I Do about It
Jeff Kunkel
What Scares Me... and What I Do about It
Jeff Kunkel
Face Your Fears
Gill Hasson
Face Your Fears
Gill Hasson
Scared
Marcia Leonard
Scared
Marcia Leonard
I Feel Frightened (Kids Corner Kid-to-Kid Books)
Brian Moses
I Feel Frightened (Kids Corner Kid-to-Kid Books)
Brian Moses
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781575425238
- Pages
- 152
- Publisher
- Free Spirit Publishing
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction