Head kick
Patrick Jones
Head kick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patrick Jones
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
What would you do if your biggest fight wasn’t in the ring but at home? Nong Vang is ready to kick his way to the top as an MMA superstar, but his toughest opponent might be his own family. Can he master the moves to win both battles?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Nong Vang, a Hmong American boy who trains in mixed martial arts while navigating challenges at school and a difficult family environment. The story addresses themes of family conflict, bullying, and cultural identity, making it appropriate for readers aged 9-12. Parents should be aware of the depiction of family dysfunction and mild bullying.
Why we rated Head kick 9ME
Head kick is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 108 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Head kick works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Head kick 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Family Conflict.
Thematically, Head kick explores mixed martial arts, family, bullying, multicultural, and coming of age — 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 mixed martial arts, family, bullying.
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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
6/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781467706322
- Pages
- 108
- Publisher
- Lerner Publishing Group
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction