Energy Sources

Name: Energy Sources
Author: Karen E. Bledsoe, Perfection Learning Corporation
ISBN: 0789160765

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Karen E. Bledsoe, Perfection Learning Corporation

Reading Essentials in Science; Global Issues (Perfection Learning)

Reading Level 7 LP · Mild · Physical Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

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. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

When David's family encounters William Henry Lewis, a celebrated African American football star, an unexpected injury sends them all hurtling into the future. Together, they navigate new challenges and discover the power of courage and friendship across time. This exciting journey blends sports, history, and adventure in a way that inspires and entertains.

Themes

Multicultural Sports Adventure Friendship Family

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 7 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Energy Sources LP (Mild)

Energy Sources is written at a Level 7 reading level across 48 pages (approximately 8,218 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 8 and up can manage Energy Sources on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, Energy Sources takes about 55 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Energy Sources as LP (Mild, mostly physical) 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Energy Sources explores multicultural, sports, adventure, friendship, and family — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about multicultural, sports, adventure.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the Reading Essentials in Science; Global Issues (Perfection Learning) series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

LP · Mild · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Mild ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.