Gold medal glitch
Lisa Mullarkey
Gold medal glitch
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lisa Mullarkey
Illustrated by Franco, Paula, illustrator
Storm Cliff Stables; Calico Chapter Books
The text is written at a 3rd 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
Avery and her three closest pals are excited for a summer filled with horse riding at Storm Cliff Stables, especially eager to learn from the famous gold medalist Anna Wainwright. But when Anna mysteriously disappears, Avery becomes determined to uncover the truth behind her missing hero. Adventure and secrets await as they search for answers among the stables.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Gold medal glitch 8LP
Gold medal glitch is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 111 pages (approximately 14,746 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Gold medal glitch works for readers up to grade 5.7.
Read aloud, Gold medal glitch runs about 1.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Gold medal glitch as 8LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Gold medal glitch explores friendship, adventure, horses, secrecy, 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, horses.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781624020506
- Pages
- 111
- Publisher
- Calico
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 14,746
- Read-Aloud
- ~1h 38m
- Text Density
- Light Text