What reading level is Biggie?

Biggie by Derek E. Sullivan is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 770L). Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is Biggie appropriate for?

Biggie is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 9LP (Light — Physical). Content flags: Mild Peril.

What genre is Biggie?

Biggie is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Biggie have any content warnings?

Biggie has a HootRating of 9LP (Light — Physical). Content flags include: Mild Peril. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Biggie?

Biggie by Derek E. Sullivan is 266 pages (approximately 68,677 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Biggie

Derek E. Sullivan

Biggie

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Derek E. Sullivan

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

Buy on Amazon Listen on Audible Find on Bookshop.org

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Henry 'Biggie' Abbott is used to staying under the radar, excelling in school rather than sports despite his famous athlete father and stepfather. When Annabelle Rivers starts showing interest, Biggie faces the challenge of breaking out of his comfort zone and confronting his fears on and off the baseball field. Balancing family expectations and personal dreams, he must decide what kind of player—and person—he wants to be.

Themes

Family Coming of Age Sports FriendshipFathers and Sons

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated Biggie 9LP

Biggie is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 770L across 266 pages (approximately 68,677 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.9 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Biggie works for readers up to grade 6.9.

Read aloud, Biggie runs about 7.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Biggie as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Biggie explores family, coming of age, sports, friendship, and fathers and sons — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, sports.