Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Beginning hockey
Julie Jensen
Beginning Sports (Lerner Publishing Group)
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
We may earn a commission from these links.
About This Book
Discover the exciting world of ice hockey, from its rich history to the gear players wear on the ice. Learn how to skate, shoot, and pass like a pro while exploring the rules and special words that make the game unique. Perfect for young athletes ready to dive into the fast-paced action of hockey!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Beginning hockey C (Gentle)
Beginning hockey is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 80 pages (approximately 6,286 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Beginning hockey on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Beginning hockey takes about 42 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Beginning hockey as C (Gentle) 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, Beginning hockey explores sports, hockey, and learning — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, hockey, learning.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 11 more books in the Beginning Sports (Lerner Publishing Group) series.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
C · GentleReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
9/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Beginning Sports (Lerner Publishing Group) Series
Beginning tennis
Julie Jensen
Beginning tennis
Julie Jensen
Beginning soccer
Julie Jensen
Beginning soccer
Julie Jensen
Beginning volleyball
Julie Jensen
Beginning volleyball
Julie Jensen
Beginning gymnastics
Julie Jensen
Beginning gymnastics
Julie Jensen
Beginning baseball
Julie Jensen
Beginning baseball
Julie Jensen
Beginning snowboarding
Julie Jensen
Beginning snowboarding
Julie Jensen
Beginning basketball
Julie Jensen
Beginning basketball
Julie Jensen
Beginning mountain biking
Julie Jensen
Beginning mountain biking
Julie Jensen
If your child liked this book, they might like these
Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Jeff Babineau
Tampa Bay Lightning
Jeff Babineau
NHL
B. Keith Davidson
NHL
B. Keith Davidson
Singles skating
Heather Schwartz
Singles skating
Heather Schwartz
Pairs skating
Heather Schwartz
Pairs skating
Heather Schwartz
Olympic Ice Skating (Great Moments in Olympic History)
C. Farbs
Olympic Ice Skating (Great Moments in Olympic History)
C. Farbs
Girls' Figure Skating
Heather E. Schwartz
Girls' Figure Skating
Heather E. Schwartz
Extreme Snow and Ice Sports
Erin K. Butler
Extreme Snow and Ice Sports
Erin K. Butler
Street Hockey
Kara L Laughlin
Street Hockey
Kara L Laughlin
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0822535068
- Pages
- 80
- Publisher
- Lerner Publications
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 6,286
- Read-Aloud
- ~42 min
- Text Density
- Light Text