Hit and Run
Dawn Hunter
Hit and Run
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dawn Hunter
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Have you ever felt so frustrated that you just lost your cool? Glen Thomson, a star baseball pitcher, faces a tough challenge when his coach benches him for losing his temper with a teammate. Can Glen learn what it really means to be a good sport before his team needs him again?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Glen Thomson, an eleven-year-old baseball star who must confront the consequences of his actions after losing his temper with a teammate. The story explores themes of sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth, making it suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents can expect a positive message about managing emotions and understanding the value of respect in sports.
Why we rated Hit and Run 9LE
Hit and Run is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hit and Run works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Hit and Run 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, Hit and Run explores sports & recreation, friendship, coming of age, and values — 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 & recreation, friendship, coming of age.
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
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Hit and run
Joan Phipson
Hit and run
Joan Phipson
Hit and Run
Barbara Mitchelhill
Hit and Run
Barbara Mitchelhill
Heads Up! (Sports Stories Series)
Dawn Hunter
Heads Up! (Sports Stories Series)
Dawn Hunter
Heads Up! (Sports Stories)
Dawn Hunter
Heads Up! (Sports Stories)
Dawn Hunter
Hit and Run (Misfits, Inc)
Mark Delaney
Hit and Run (Misfits, Inc)
Mark Delaney
Hit and Run
Robert Lawrence Stine
Hit and Run
Robert Lawrence Stine
Details
- ISBN
- 9780613296397
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- March 2001
- Type
- Fiction