Beyond the laces
Bob Salomon
Beyond the laces
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bob Salomon
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if your favorite football hero could help you face the toughest challenge of your life? Imagine a young boy who, inspired by a player wearing number 87, finds courage and hope during a serious health crisis. But can determination and faith be enough to win this game?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Beyond the Laces is a heartfelt story for early readers about a young boy and his family navigating a major health challenge with faith and resilience. Set against the backdrop of professional football, it highlights positive role models and the power of perseverance. Suitable for ages 5-8, the book gently explores themes of illness, family support, and inspiration without graphic content.
Why we rated Beyond the laces 8LE
Beyond the laces is written at a Level 3 reading level across 60 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Beyond the laces works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Beyond the laces as 8LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Beyond the laces explores sports, sick children, parent and child, christian fiction, and perseverance — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, sick children, parent and child.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781495156946
- Pages
- 60
- Publisher
- Independent Publisher
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction