Understanding Issues Books in Order
Understanding Issues is an 8-book series by Gail Stewart for ages 9+, at a grades 4–6 reading level, with mild to intense content (HootRated intensity 2–4 out of 5).
- Books
- 8
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Mild to intense
- HootRated 2–4 out of 5 · avg 2.9
Understanding Issues Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most Understanding Issues books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drugs (Understanding Issues) 2001 | Level 4-5 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 2 | Understanding Issues - Divorce (Understanding Issues) 2001 · Gail B. Stewart | Level 4-5 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 3 | Death 2002 | Level 5 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 4 | Gangs 2002 | Level 5 | 13+ | Moderate |
| 5 | Understanding Issues - Peer Pressure (Understanding Issues) 2002 · Gail B. Stewart | Level 5 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 6 | Understanding Issues - Smoking (Understanding Issues) 2002 · Gail B. Stewart | Level 4-5 | 9-12 | Mild |
| 7 | Understanding Issues - Terrorism (Understanding Issues) 2002 · Gail B. 1949 Stewart, Gail B. Stewart | Level 5-6 | 9-12 | Moderate |
| 8 | Child abuse 2003 | Level 5-6 | 13+ | Intense |
Content Intensity Across the Series
VariesContent intensity ranges from Mild to Intense across the series.
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. Understanding Issues (8 books by Gail Stewart) lands at a grades 4–6 reading level, with average content intensity 2.9/5. Intensity varies from book to book, so check individual ratings in the list above.
The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings 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.
All Understanding Issues Books
Drugs (Understanding Issues)
Gail Stewart
Drugs (Understanding Issues)
Gail Stewart
Understanding Issues - Divorce (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Understanding Issues - Divorce (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Death
Gail Stewart
Death
Gail Stewart
Gangs
Gail Stewart
Gangs
Gail Stewart
Understanding Issues - Peer Pressure (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Understanding Issues - Peer Pressure (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Understanding Issues - Smoking (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Understanding Issues - Smoking (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. Stewart
Understanding Issues - Terrorism (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. 1949 Stewart, Gail B. Stewart
Understanding Issues - Terrorism (Understanding Issues)
Gail B. 1949 Stewart, Gail B. Stewart
Child abuse
Gail Stewart
Child abuse
Gail Stewart
Series Like Understanding Issues: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- Other America by Gail Stewart 8 books · Grades 5–6 · moderate to intense content
- Ripped from the Headlines by Gail Stewart 3 books · Grades 3–5 · mild to moderate content
- Graphic Library; Women Warriors of World War II by Agnieszka Biskup 4 books · Grades 4–5 · moderate content
- Left Behind: The Kids by Jerry B. Jenkins 37 books · Grades 3–5 · mild to intense content
- Virginia Mysteries by Steven K. Smith 10 books · Grades 4–5 · gentle to moderate content
- Warriors: The Power of Three by Erin Hunter 6 books · Grades 4–5 · mild to intense content
Questions about the Understanding Issues series
- What reading level is the Understanding Issues series?
- Understanding Issues books are at a grades 4–6 reading level (average grade level 4.9), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9+. There are 8 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Understanding Issues books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most Understanding Issues books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Drugs (Understanding Issues) (2001); Understanding Issues - Divorce (Understanding Issues) (2001); Death (2002); Gangs (2002); Understanding Issues - Peer Pressure (Understanding Issues) (2002); and 3 more.
- What age is the Understanding Issues series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends Understanding Issues for ages 9+. Content is mild to intense (HootRated intensity 2–4 out of 5). Intensity varies from book to book, so check individual ratings in the list above.