Catch That Pass! (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library)
Matt Christopher
Catch That Pass! (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Matt Christopher
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here’s a secret: Jim’s biggest challenge isn’t making the team—it’s facing his fear of being tackled. But when a boy in a wheelchair shows him a new kind of bravery, everything changes. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade sports fiction follows Jim, a young football player struggling with fear on the field. Through an unexpected friendship with a boy in a wheelchair, Jim learns valuable lessons about courage and determination. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book touches on themes of overcoming fears and friendship in a positive, age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Catch That Pass! (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) 9LE
Catch That Pass! (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 110 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Catch That Pass! (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Catch That Pass! (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) as 9LE ("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, Catch That Pass! (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) explores sports & recreation, friendship, courage, disability representation, 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 & recreation, friendship, courage.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
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
- 9781599531052
- Pages
- 110
- Publisher
- Norwood House Press
- Published
- January 2007
- Type
- Fiction