What Would You Do?
Patti Kelley Criswell
What Would You Do?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patti Kelley Criswell
Illustrated by Norm Bendell
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What would you do if you faced a tricky problem with friends, family, or school? Imagine stepping into different situations where your choices really matter. Can you find the best way to solve problems and help others, or will you be surprised by what you discover?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This interactive book uses quizzes and scenario-based questions to help middle-grade girls develop critical problem-solving skills. It encourages thoughtful reflection on social situations relevant to their daily lives, promoting empathy and decision-making. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging way to build social awareness without exposing readers to intense content.
Why we rated What Would You Do? 9LE
What Would You Do? 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 Would You Do? works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate What Would You Do? as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, What Would You Do? explores social issues, friendship, and coming of age — 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, friendship, coming of age.
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
9LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- ISBN
- 9780613833219
- Publisher
- Turtleback Books
- Published
- June 2004
- Type
- Fiction