Between the Sticks
Rich Wallace
Between the Sticks
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rich Wallace
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if your biggest chance to shine came when you least expected it? Imagine standing between the soccer goalposts, the whole game resting on your shoulders. Can Griffin stay calm and prove he’s the hero the team needs?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Griffin Lane, a soccer enthusiast who faces an unexpected challenge when he must step in as goalie after an injury. The story explores themes of self-confidence and teamwork, suitable for ages 9-12. It offers a positive message about facing fears and adapting to new roles in a supportive sports environment.
Why we rated Between the Sticks 9LE
Between the Sticks is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Between the Sticks works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Between the Sticks as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Between the Sticks explores sports, self-confidence, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, self-confidence, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781680773781
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- ABDO
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction