Face-Off (Face Cff)
Matt Christopher
Face-Off (Face Cff)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Matt Christopher
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Hockey is more than just a game for him—it's a challenge he faces every time he steps on the ice. Even with a fear of the puck and a new handicap, he shows what real courage looks like. His journey proves that heart matters more than skill.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows a young hockey player who must adapt after discovering he has a physical handicap and struggles with fear related to the game. The story highlights themes of resilience, overcoming personal challenges, and sportsmanship. Suitable for ages 9-12, it addresses emotional and physical challenges with sensitivity.
Why we rated Face-Off (Face Cff) 9ME
Face-Off (Face Cff) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 131 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Face-Off (Face Cff) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Face-Off (Face Cff) as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Face-Off (Face Cff) explores sports, disability representation, coming of age, and resilience — 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, disability representation, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9780833546494
- Pages
- 131
- Publisher
- Turtleback Books
- Published
- October 1999
- Type
- Fiction