It's not just a game
Eric Crookshank
It's not just a game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
My Journey from the Streets to Professional Basketball
by Eric Crookshank
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
Eric Crookshank wasn't just any basketball player—he rose from tough beginnings to become a leader both on and off the court. His journey shows how refusing to give up can turn dreams into reality. Discover why his story matters beyond the game.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade biography chronicles Eric Crookshank's inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a respected basketball captain and university graduate. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers positive messages about resilience, leadership, and overcoming adversity without intense content. Parents should know it highlights themes of personal growth and sportsmanship.
Why we rated It's not just a game 9LE
It's not just a game is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 110 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, It's not just a game works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate It's not just a game 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, It's not just a game explores biography, sports, coming of age, family, and african american representation — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about biography, sports, coming of age.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781551099590
- Pages
- 110
- Publisher
- Nimbus Publishing (CN)
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Nonfiction