Cut-rate quarterback
William Campbell Gault
Cut-rate quarterback
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by William Campbell Gault
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
Here’s a secret: the star quarterback you think has it all started out as an underdog nobody believed in. From high school games to the big lights at Northwestern, his journey is full of surprising twists and tough choices—but that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a young quarterback's rise from high school football to a professional career, highlighting themes of perseverance and ambition. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it explores sportsmanship and personal growth without intense content.
Why we rated Cut-rate quarterback 9C
Cut-rate quarterback is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 133 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cut-rate quarterback works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Cut-rate quarterback 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, Cut-rate quarterback explores sports, coming of age, and adventure — 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 sports, coming of age, adventure.
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.
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
3/10A 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
- 0525284508
- Pages
- 133
- Publisher
- Dutton Childrens Books
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction