Double dribble
Sylvia McNicoll
Double dribble
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sylvia McNicoll
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), 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
Tasha and Bulldog are about to prove that basketball isn’t just a boys’ game. When Coach Brighton calls them up to join the Richmond Bears, they face a tough choice—only one can stay on the team! This showdown isn’t just about hoops; it’s about friendship, courage, and what it really means to be a champion.
Quick Assessment
Double Dribble follows two friends, Tasha and Bulldog, as they get a rare chance to play on a prestigious basketball team. Aimed at middle to early high school readers, this story explores themes of friendship, competition, and self-confidence in a sports setting, with appropriate language and scenarios for ages 13-18.
Why we rated Double dribble 9LE
Double dribble is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 116 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Double dribble works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Double dribble 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, Double dribble explores friendship, sports, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, coming of age.
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
2/10A 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
Double fake
Rich Wallace
Double fake
Rich Wallace
Triple Threat
Eric Walters
Triple Threat
Eric Walters
Basketball
Nick Rebman
Basketball
Nick Rebman
Double Trouble
Bill Yu
Double Trouble
Bill Yu
Full Court Press
Rachel Stuckey
Full Court Press
Rachel Stuckey
Basketball
Karen Durrie
Basketball
Karen Durrie
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0590507982
- Pages
- 116
- Publisher
- Markham, Ont. : Scholastic Canada
- Published
- 1999
- Type
- Fiction