Hat trick
Alex Morgan
Hat trick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alex Morgan
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 across the chilly soccer field, mixing with the thud of the ball and the crunch of cleats on grass. Devin and her friends race toward the goal, hearts pounding as the stakes rise with every pass. But what happens when dreams clash and the team starts to break apart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Devin and her seventh-grade friends as they navigate the challenges of trying out for a competitive soccer travel team. The story explores themes of friendship, competition, and community as budget cuts threaten the soccer program at Devin's younger sister's elementary school. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging look at teamwork and resilience without intense conflict.
Why we rated Hat trick 9LE
Hat trick is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 126 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hat trick works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Hat trick 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, Hat trick explores sports, friendship, family, and middle school — 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, friendship, family.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481450966
- Pages
- 126
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction