Chasing Pacquiao
Rod A. Pulido
Chasing Pacquiao
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rod A. Pulido
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What happens when you have to fight for who you are in a place that doesn't want you? Bobby tries to stay invisible in his tough high school, where being queer feels like a secret too dangerous to share. But when everything changes, he finds courage in an unexpected hero—and faces a challenge that could break him or make him stronger.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Chasing Pacquiao is a coming-of-age novel about a queer Filipino-American teen navigating bullying, identity, and family expectations in a challenging environment. The story addresses themes of self-discovery, resilience, and cultural conflict, including the impact of homophobia within a specific community. Suitable for teens ages 13 and up, it contains realistic portrayals of bullying and emotional struggle but offers a hopeful and empowering message.
Why we rated Chasing Pacquiao 11IE
Chasing Pacquiao is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chasing Pacquiao works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Chasing Pacquiao as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, LGBTQ+ Themes, Violence.
Thematically, Chasing Pacquiao explores coming of age, bullying, lgbtq+ representation, family, and cultural identity — 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 coming of age, bullying, lgbtq+ representation.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9780593526736
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2023
- Type
- Fiction