Captain Awesome, Soccer Star
Stan Kirby
Captain Awesome, Soccer Star
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
#5
by Stan Kirby
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
The thud of the soccer ball echoes across the field, the grass tickling Eugene’s fingers as he dives for the goal. Suddenly, a rush of confidence surges through him—he’s Captain Awesome, even without the cape. Can Eugene keep the magic alive when it matters most?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction story follows Eugene, a second-grader who discovers he can channel his superhero alter ego's courage and skill during a soccer game without needing his costume. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it highlights themes of confidence, teamwork, and self-belief in a lighthearted sports setting.
Why we rated Captain Awesome, Soccer Star 9C
Captain Awesome, Soccer Star is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 120 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Captain Awesome, Soccer Star works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Captain Awesome, Soccer Star 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, Captain Awesome, Soccer Star explores sports, 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 sports, friendship, coming of age.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781532142031
- Pages
- 120
- Publisher
- Chapter Books
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction