Great
Lauri Holomis
Great
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lauri Holomis
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Taylor’s not just on any hockey team — he’s on the same team as the boy everyone calls The Great One! But being great isn’t just about scoring goals; it’s about working hard, having fun, and learning from Coach Wally. Can Taylor discover what it really means to be great?
Quick Assessment
This early reader introduces young children to the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship through the story of Taylor and his hockey journey alongside a character inspired by Wayne Gretzky and his father. Suitable for ages 5-8, it offers positive messages about effort and enjoying the game, with no content concerns.
Why we rated Great 7C
Great is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Great works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Great as 7C ("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, Great explores friendship, sports, 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 friendship, sports, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780670069903
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction