Age rating and parents' guide:Each Kindness
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages 6–11
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson is best for children aged 6–11. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: No tidy happy ending (by design).
Chloe and her friends repeatedly shut out Maya, a new girl at school whose clothes are worn and who plays alone. Each time Maya tries to join in, she is met with cold stares and laughter. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: No tidy happy ending (by design)
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Early chapter book
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Plenty of illustrations
- Emotionally light
Great for kids who like
- Realistic Fiction (School & Friendships)
- School life
- Friendship
Reading mood
- Warm & gentle
Good to talk about
- Friendship
- Emotions & empathy
Books like Each Kindness
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.
Ages 6–8
Clementine
by Sara Pennypacker
Eight-year-old Clementine has a heart of gold and an exuberant imagination, but she often finds herself in trouble for paying attention to the wrong things. When she tries to help her best friend Margaret after a bad haircut incident, things quickly spiral into a week of comical mishaps.
Ages 9–11
The Hundred Dresses
by Eleanor Estes
Wanda Petronski is a quiet Polish girl who wears the same faded blue dress to school every day, yet insists she has one hundred beautiful dresses lined up in her closet. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.
Ages 9–14
The Boy at the Back of the Class
by Onjali Q. Rauf
When nine-year-old Ahmet arrives in their classroom, an empty seat at the back is finally filled. He does not speak English and rarely smiles, but a determined group of classmates soon discovers that he is a refugee who fled war in Syria and became separated from his family. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Ages 6–8
Jada Jones
by Kelly Starling Lyons
Jada Jones is an energetic, science-loving girl who faces the everyday ups and downs of elementary school. When her best friend moves away, Jada feels lonely, but a class project on rocks and minerals gives her a chance to explore her passions and connect with potential new friends. Encourages observation, discovery, and a lively sense of wonder.
Ages 9–14
Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
Ten-year-old August Pullman was born with severe facial differences that kept him out of mainstream school—until now. Entering fifth grade at Beecher Prep, Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid, but his new classmates struggle to look past his appearance. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
Ages 6–8
The Name Jar
by Yangsook Choi
Having just moved from Korea to America, young Unhei is nervous that no one at her new school will be able to pronounce her name. Instead of introducing herself, she tells her class she will choose an American name by the end of the week. Encourages children to feel proud of who they are and value others.
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Questions parents ask
Q: What age is Each Kindness for?
Q: Is Each Kindness appropriate for a 6 year old?
Q: What should my child read after Each Kindness?
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