Control freak
Steve Moore
Control freak
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Steve Moore
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Steve is the undisputed King of the Bench, and he’s proud of it. But when he finds a mysterious old video game controller that seems to control football plays, everything changes. Could this magical device turn the biggest bench-warmer into the star player—and why does that even matter?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book follows Steve, a self-proclaimed bench-warmer who discovers an old video game controller that appears to influence football plays. Targeted at ages 9-12, it blends humor and sports themes while exploring fear and phobias in a lighthearted way. The story celebrates teamwork, underdogs, and finding confidence, with content appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Control freak 11LE
Control freak is written at a Level 6 reading level across 211 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Control freak works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Control freak 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, Control freak explores friendship, sports, humor, fear, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Control Freaks
Thomas, J. E.
Control Freaks
Thomas, J. E.
Control freak!
Steve Parker
Control freak!
Steve Parker
The Video King
Shirley Babcock
The Video King
Shirley Babcock
Control
Steve Skidmore
Control
Steve Skidmore
Big Football Frenzy
Rob Childs
Big Football Frenzy
Rob Childs
Game on (Series for Boys)
Stephen Smith
Game on (Series for Boys)
Stephen Smith
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062203328
- Pages
- 211
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction