Header
Paul Hoblin
Header
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Paul Hoblin
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
Here’s a secret: Alyssa Duncan is unbeatable as the Copperheads’ goalie, but then a concussion changes everything. Suddenly, her teammate Becca Miller takes the spotlight in goal—and she’s not backing down. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Alyssa Duncan, a star soccer goalie sidelined by a concussion, and her teammate Becca Miller, who steps up in her place. The story explores themes of sports injuries, recovery, and competition, with a focus on resilience and team dynamics. It’s suitable for ages 9-12 and offers a realistic portrayal of concussion impacts in youth sports.
Why we rated Header 9LE
Header is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Header works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Header 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, Header explores sports, brain, injury, competition, and friendship — 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, brain, injury.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781467703017
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Millbrook Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction