Freshman flash
Mike Boushell
Freshman flash
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mike Boushell
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 whistle blows, and the thud of footballs echoes across the field under the bright stadium lights. Danny Cannon feels the rough leather of the ball in his hands and hears the roar of the crowd swelling around him. As a freshman, he’s determined to prove he belongs on the team headed for the championships, but will he find his place when it counts the most?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Danny Cannon, a determined freshman football player eager to contribute to his team's championship run. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance in a high school setting. Parents can expect a positive sports story without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated Freshman flash 9LE
Freshman flash is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 120 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Freshman flash works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Freshman flash 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, Freshman flash explores sports, football, 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 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, football, friendship.
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
- 0880926007
- Pages
- 120
- Publisher
- Royal Fireworks Publishing Company
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction