Working
Paul Stickland
Working
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Paul Stickland
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Hear the buzz of busy bees and the rumble of trucks as the world of work comes alive all around you. Feel the rough tools and see colorful places where animals and people work together. Every job has a story, and each one is a little adventure waiting to be discovered.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Working introduces early readers to a variety of work environments, tools, and roles in an engaging and accessible way. Suitable for ages 5-8, this fiction series expands children's understanding of the working world beyond just people, incorporating animals and places as well. The colorful illustrations and simple text help young readers connect with the material without complexity or distress.
Why we rated Working 7C
Working is written at a Level 2 reading level across 16 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Working works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Working as 7C ("Clear") 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, Working explores general, juvenile nonfiction, children: kindergarten, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about general, juvenile nonfiction, children: kindergarten.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo 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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780836821550
- Pages
- 16
- Publisher
- Gareth Stevens Pub
- Published
- September 1998
- Type
- Fiction