Double Time
Sherryl Clark
Double Time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sherryl Clark
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The sharp sound of a soccer ball thumping against cleats fills the air, mixing with the chirps of crickets on a warm evening. Ellyse races between the soccer field and cricket pitch, caught in a whirlwind of games and schoolwork. Can she keep up the pace, or will she have to make a tough choice that changes everything?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Ellyse, a determined girl balancing the demands of soccer, cricket, and school. It explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the challenges of growing up, appropriate for ages 9 to 12. The story handles the pressures of competition and making difficult decisions with sensitivity and relatable situations.
Why we rated Double Time 9LE
Double Time is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Double Time works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Double Time 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 Time explores friendship, family, 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 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 friendship, family, sports.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780143781301
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- Random House Australia
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction