High hurdles
Stephen D. Smith
High hurdles
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stephen D. Smith
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
Matt is faster than anyone on the track, but at home, his biggest challenge isn’t a race—it’s dealing with his mom’s drinking. His teammates cheer him on, but can he keep his two worlds from crashing together? What happens when the hardest hurdles aren’t on the track?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the life of Matt, a young athlete who finds solace and support in his track team while facing the challenges of a mother struggling with alcoholism. The story realistically portrays the impact of family difficulties on a child’s life and highlights themes of resilience, friendship, and personal growth. Recommended for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses serious topics appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated High hurdles 9ME
High hurdles is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 127 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, High hurdles works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate High hurdles 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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Alcoholism.
Thematically, High hurdles explores running, mothers and sons, middle schools, schools, 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 running, mothers and sons, middle schools.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0784714398
- Pages
- 127
- Publisher
- Standard Publishing
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction