Who I Am and What I Want
David Shrigley
Who I Am and What I Want
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David Shrigley
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The scratchy sound of a pencil scratching across paper fills the air as strange and silly drawings come to life. Weird creatures, funny faces, and odd ideas swirl together in a book that feels like a secret peek inside someone’s wild imagination. You’ll laugh, think, and maybe wonder about the strange truth behind everyday things like lunch and dolphins.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This quirky and humorous illustrated book blends dark humor with surreal drawings to explore everyday anxieties and ambitions in a way that appeals to middle-grade readers. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers a playful look at life’s oddities through a mock autobiographical format, encouraging creativity and self-reflection. Parents should note the book’s edgy humor and abstract style, which may be best appreciated by children with a taste for unconventional art and humor.
Why we rated Who I Am and What I Want 9LE
Who I Am and What I Want is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Who I Am and What I Want works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Who I Am and What I Want as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Who I Am and What I Want explores art, humor, individual artist, creativity, and self-discovery — 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 art, humor, individual artist.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780811855303
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books
- Published
- May 11, 2006
- Type
- Fiction