What's Your Problem (Livewire)
Sherry Ashworth
What's Your Problem (Livewire)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sherry Ashworth
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Bullying isn't just about mean words—it's about what happens inside when no one’s looking. Imagine facing the toughest challenges at school with courage and a sharp wit that turns the tables. This story shows why standing up matters more than you think.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This novel offers an insightful and sensitive portrayal of bullying among teenagers, exploring the emotional impact and social dynamics involved. Suitable for ages 13-18, it combines wisdom and humor to engage young readers while addressing a difficult subject thoughtfully. Parents should be aware it deals with social issues relevant to teens but does so in an accessible and empathetic manner.
Why we rated What's Your Problem (Livewire) 9ME
What's Your Problem (Livewire) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 132 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What's Your Problem (Livewire) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate What's Your Problem (Livewire) 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, social complexity — 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's Your Problem (Livewire) explores bullying, school & education, social issues, coming of age, and friendship — 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 bullying, school & education, social issues.
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780704349612
- Pages
- 132
- Publisher
- Women's Press (UK)
- Published
- September 1, 2000
- Type
- Fiction