What's racism?

Name: What's racism?
Author: Amy B. Rogers
ISBN: 9781534524378

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Amy B. Rogers

What's the Issue? (KidHaven)

Reading Level 5-6 MS · Moderate · Social Ages 9-12 Matched Page-Turner

The text is written at a 5th 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. Its HootRating code, MS, means moderate content, mostly social.

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About This Book

Discover the history and impact of racism through an eye-opening journey that helps young readers understand how prejudice divides communities. Learn how knowledge and kindness can empower a new generation to build a fairer and more welcoming world for everyone. Engaging visuals and clear explanations make this important topic accessible and thought-provoking for ages 9 to 12.

Themes

Multicultural Social JusticeEducation

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include racial discrimination, social justice. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated What's racism? MS (Moderate)

What's racism? is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 26 pages (approximately 1,486 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage What's racism? on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, What's racism? takes about 10 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate What's racism? as MS (Moderate, mostly 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 social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Racial Discrimination, Social Justice.

Thematically, What's racism? explores multicultural, social justice, and education — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about multicultural, social justice, education.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the What's the Issue? (KidHaven) series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.

For Parents

Content Intensity

MS · Moderate · Social

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Moderate ←

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.