Breakaway
Kimberley Griffiths Little
Breakaway
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kimberley Griffiths Little
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
Luke dreams of becoming a soccer star like his father, even though he never met him. As he trains and plays, he discovers that talent alone isn't enough to reach his goals. With determination and hard work, Luke learns what it truly takes to succeed on and off the field.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Breakaway 9C
Breakaway is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 153 pages (approximately 37,363 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Breakaway works for readers up to grade 6.3.
Read aloud, Breakaway runs about 4.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Breakaway as 9C ("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, Breakaway explores multicultural, sports & recreation, family, and coming of age — 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 multicultural, sports & recreation, family.
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
9C — ClearNo 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0380792257
- Pages
- 153
- Publisher
- HarperTrophy
- Published
- August 1998
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 37,363
- Read-Aloud
- ~4h 9m
- Text Density
- Standard