Going for the record
Julie A. Swanson
Going for the record
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Julie A. Swanson
The text is written at a 6th 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 blows across the crisp soccer field, the leather ball thudding against Leah's foot. But as the crowd cheers, her heart aches with a heavier weight—her dad's illness shadows every game. Can she chase her dreams while holding on to hope?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges faced by a teenage girl balancing her passion for soccer with the emotional strain of her father's cancer diagnosis. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of illness, family bonds, and coping with uncertainty. Parents should be aware that it deals with serious topics but does so in an age-appropriate and hopeful manner.
Why we rated Going for the record 11IE
Going for the record is written at a Level 6 reading level across 217 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Going for the record works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Going for the record as 11IE ("Intense — 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 — 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, Going for the record explores cancer, soccer, fathers and daughters, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about cancer, soccer, fathers and daughters.
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
11IE — Intense — 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
1/10A 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
- 0802852734
- Pages
- 217
- Publisher
- Eerdmans Young Readers
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction