Beat the record
Harrison, James
Beat the record
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Harrison, James
The text is written at a 3rd 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
What if you could break the coolest world records ever? Imagine racing with an egg on a spoon or blowing the biggest bubblegum bubble—how big could your record be? The challenge is on, but can you beat the best and set a new record?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader introduces children ages 5-8 to a variety of fun and achievable world records, encouraging active play and friendly competition. The book presents simple challenges like egg-and-spoon races and coin balancing, promoting motor skills and social interaction. It’s a light, engaging read suitable for young children without any content concerns.
Why we rated Beat the record 8C
Beat the record is written at a Level 3 reading level across 64 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Beat the record works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Beat the record as 8C ("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, Beat the record explores world records, friendship, adventure, and sports — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about world records, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 0851128297
- Pages
- 64
- Publisher
- Guinness Publishing
- Published
- 1986
- Type
- Fiction