Calling the shots
Ellen Hartman
Calling the shots
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ellen Hartman
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
Bryan James skates hard, shouting advice from the sidelines as his daughter Allie faces off against a rival on the ice. Suddenly, a whistle blows and tension crackles—Allie’s tangled up in trouble with another player! With a stern parent waiting and a messy mediation ahead, Bryan wonders: can he keep his family—and his heart—on the right track?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges of single parenthood through the lens of a father-daughter relationship centered around hockey. It addresses themes of family dynamics, conflict resolution, and budding relationships in a sports context suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the story involves a conflict between children on a team and a mediation setting but handles these topics in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Calling the shots 11LE
Calling the shots is written at a Level 6 reading level across 251 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Calling the shots works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Calling the shots as 11LE ("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, Calling the shots explores family, sports, coming of age, friendship, and romance — 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 family, sports, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780373716654
- Pages
- 251
- Publisher
- Harlequin
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction