Breakaway
Michael Betcherman
Breakaway
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Michael Betcherman
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Nick races through the bustling city streets, heart pounding, chasing the shadow of a mysterious bald man with a limp. Every step brings him closer to uncovering the truth behind his father's conviction. But just when hope flickers, a shocking discovery turns everything upside down.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows sixteen-year-old Nick Macklin as he grapples with his father's wrongful murder conviction. Set against the backdrop of hockey and family struggles, the story explores themes of justice, loyalty, and resilience. Suitable for teens aged 13-18, it contains moderate emotional intensity related to family trauma and legal challenges.
Why we rated Breakaway 12ME
Breakaway is written at a Level 7 reading level across 342 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Breakaway works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Breakaway as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Breakaway explores family, justice, coming of age, sports, and father and son relationship — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, justice, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780143182146
- Pages
- 342
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction