Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Breakout
Kevin Emerson
Breakout
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kevin Emerson
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What happens when your song becomes an overnight sensation but might get you into big trouble? Anthony Castillo’s band, the Rusty Soles, just dropped a raw, powerful track filled with all the feelings of being fourteen. Can he handle the heat when everyone’s eyes turn to him on Arts Night?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Breakout follows fourteen-year-old Anthony Castillo, whose emotionally charged rock song goes viral, thrusting him into unexpected attention and challenges. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it explores themes of friendship, family, and self-expression with some mild language concerns related to the song’s content. Parents should note the presence of strong language within a musical context, which is central to the story’s conflict.
Why we rated Breakout 11ME
Breakout is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 940L across 297 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Breakout works for readers up to grade 8.5.
We rate Breakout as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Language.
Thematically, Breakout explores bands (music), families, interpersonal relations, friendship, 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 bands (music), families, interpersonal relations.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780385391122
- Pages
- 297
- Publisher
- Crown Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 940L