It's Just an Expression Books in Order
7 books by Matt Doeden. Reading level: Grades 4.3–5.1. Middle Grades (Ages 9–12).
Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. It's Just an Expression (7 books by Matt Doeden) lands at reading level Grades 4.3–5.1, with average content intensity 1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series — a kid who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.
The reading-order table below lists every book with per-volume reading level and intensity badges so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.
Content Intensity Across the Series
ConsistentContent stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.
It's Just an Expression Reading Order
| # | Title | Reading Level | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animal expressions Sandra Donovan | Level 4-5 | Gentle |
| 2 | At the eleventh hour Bridget Heos | Level 4-5 | Gentle |
| 3 | Cool as a cucumber Bridget Heos | Level 4-5 | Gentle |
| 4 | Get your nose out of joint Matt Doeden | Level 4-5 | Gentle |
| 5 | Keep your eye on the ball Sandra Donovan | Level 5-6 | Gentle |
| 6 | School expressions Matt Doeden | Level 4-5 | Gentle |
| 7 | Stick out like a sore thumb Matt Doeden | Level 4-5 | Gentle |
All It's Just an Expression Books
Animal expressions
Sandra Donovan
Animal expressions
Sandra Donovan
At the eleventh hour
Bridget Heos
At the eleventh hour
Bridget Heos
Cool as a cucumber
Bridget Heos
Cool as a cucumber
Bridget Heos
Get your nose out of joint
Matt Doeden
Get your nose out of joint
Matt Doeden
Keep your eye on the ball
Sandra Donovan
Keep your eye on the ball
Sandra Donovan
School expressions
Matt Doeden
School expressions
Matt Doeden
Stick out like a sore thumb
Matt Doeden
Stick out like a sore thumb
Matt Doeden
Questions about the It's Just an Expression series
- What reading level is the It's Just an Expression series?
- The It's Just an Expression series by Matt Doeden is at a Grades 4.3–5.1 reading level (average Grade 4.6). Intended for Middle Grades (Ages 9–12). There are 7 books in the series.
- What order should I read the It's Just an Expression books?
- The reading-order table above lists all 7 books with per-volume reading level and intensity ratings. Start with book 1 and read in publication order unless the table indicates a different recommended order for newer readers.
- What age is the It's Just an Expression series appropriate for?
- The It's Just an Expression series is recommended for Middle Grades (Ages 9–12). The average content intensity is 1/5. Check the intensity trajectory above to see whether content gets heavier across the series — if it does, sensitive readers may want to stop earlier in the run.