Cricket
Dave Sargent
Cricket
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Autobiography of Franklyn Stephenson
by Dave Sargent
Illustrated by Jane Lenoir
The text is written at a 7th 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
The crowd roars as Franklyn grips the ball, eyes sharp and steady. He runs up, faster than ever, and just when you think you know what he'll do—he surprises everyone with a trick no one has seen before. What will happen next on the field?
Quick Assessment
This biography tells the inspiring story of Franklyn Stephenson, a groundbreaking West Indian cricketer known for his courage and skill. It covers his controversial decision to tour apartheid South Africa, his innovative bowling techniques, and his remarkable achievements in cricket. Suitable for middle grade readers, the book provides historical context but includes some mature themes related to racial politics and sportsmanship.
Why we rated Cricket 12MS
Cricket is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cricket works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Cricket as 12MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Cricket explores sports, friendship, coming of age, and historical — 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
12MS — Moderate — SocialLight 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
- 9781567636499
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Pitch Publishing
- Published
- May 2001
- Type
- Fiction