Gang tackle
Eric Howling
Gang tackle
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Eric Howling
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
The sharp whistle cuts through the crisp autumn air, mixing with the thud of cleats pounding the turf. Jamal feels the rough leather of the football in his hands, but something heavier weighs on his heart—his coach's unfair words. When the team faces more than just tough plays, standing up becomes the biggest challenge yet.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade sports novel explores themes of teamwork, standing up against bullying, and confronting discrimination within a high school football setting. Suitable for ages 9-12, it addresses important social issues in an age-appropriate way, encouraging discussions about fairness and respect. Parents should note the presence of bullying and discrimination as central elements.
Why we rated Gang tackle 9ME
Gang tackle is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 162 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Gang tackle works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Gang tackle 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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Discrimination.
Thematically, Gang tackle explores sports, friendship, coming of age, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, friendship, 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.
Content Flags
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781459812253
- Pages
- 162
- Publisher
- Orca Sports
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction