What reading level is Kickoff blitz?

Kickoff blitz by Blake A. Hoena is at a Level 2-3 reading level (Lexile 510L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Kickoff blitz appropriate for?

Kickoff blitz is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 7ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Bullying, Mild Peril.

What genre is Kickoff blitz?

Kickoff blitz is fiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Sports Illustrated Kids (Stone Arch Books); Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels series.

Does Kickoff blitz have any content warnings?

Kickoff blitz has a HootRating of 7ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Bullying, Mild Peril. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Kickoff blitz?

Kickoff blitz by Blake A. Hoena is 65 pages (approximately 1,412 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Kickoff blitz

Blake A. Hoena

Kickoff blitz

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Blake A. Hoena

Sports Illustrated Kids (Stone Arch Books); Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels

Reading Level 2-3 7ME Ages 9-12 Heads Up Page-Turner

The text is written at a 2nd 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

Tou Yang faces a tough challenge when his football team meets his old school, where he used to be teased for his size. As the game heats up, he must stay determined and rely on his talents to stand up to Darren, the bully who hasn’t forgotten him. This story shows the power of courage and teamwork on and off the field.

Themes

SportsBullyingFriendship Multicultural

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 2-3 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include bullying, mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Kickoff blitz 7ME

Kickoff blitz is written at a Level 2-3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 510L across 65 pages (approximately 1,412 words). Strong independent readers around grade 3.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Kickoff blitz works for readers up to grade 4.8.

Read aloud, Kickoff blitz takes about 9 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Kickoff blitz as 7ME ("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, Mild Peril.

Thematically, Kickoff blitz explores sports, bullying, friendship, and multicultural — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, bullying, friendship.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Sports Illustrated Kids (Stone Arch Books); Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels series.