Franklin Plays the Game (Franklin)
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin Plays the Game (Franklin)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Paulette Bourgeois
Illustrated by Brenda Clark
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it really means to be a good sport? Franklin is about to find out as he steps onto the soccer field, ready to play his best. But will he handle winning and losing the right way?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This story follows Franklin as he learns important lessons about sportsmanship and fair play through soccer. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, it gently introduces concepts of teamwork, respect, and handling competition in a positive way. The content is light and perfect for young children starting to engage with sports and social interactions.
Why we rated Franklin Plays the Game (Franklin) 6C
Franklin Plays the Game (Franklin) is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Franklin Plays the Game (Franklin) works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Franklin Plays the Game (Franklin) as 6C ("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, Franklin Plays the Game (Franklin) explores sports & recreation, friendship, family, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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 & recreation, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
Franklin and the little sisters
Harry Endrulat
Franklin and the little sisters
Harry Endrulat
Fun with Franklin
Paulette Bourgeois
Fun with Franklin
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin and the Big Kid (Franklin TV Storybooks)
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin and the Big Kid (Franklin TV Storybooks)
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin is Bossy
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin is Bossy
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin's Secret Club (Franklin)
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin's Secret Club (Franklin)
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin the Detective (Kids Can Read)
Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin the Detective (Kids Can Read)
Paulette Bourgeois
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781550742541
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press, Ltd.
- Published
- March 14, 1995
- Type
- Fiction