Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Mr. Touchdown
Lyda Phillips
Mr. Touchdown
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lyda Phillips
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. Its HootRating code, MS, means moderate content, mostly social.
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About This Book
What would you do if your school suddenly changed everything you knew? Eddie Russell, a star football player, faces a new world when he joins an all-white school during a time when many people don’t want him there. Can he find strength and friendship even when others try to push him away?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1965 Tennessee, this historical fiction follows Eddie Russell, a talented African-American football player, as he integrates an all-white high school amid racial tensions and challenges. The story addresses themes of racism, social injustice, and resilience, providing an insightful look at the civil rights movement from a young person’s perspective. Suitable for ages 9-12, it includes realistic portrayals of prejudice and social conflict, making it a valuable resource for discussions on history and empathy.
Why we rated Mr. Touchdown MS (Moderate)
Mr. Touchdown is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 182 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Mr. Touchdown on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Mr. Touchdown as MS (Moderate, mostly social) 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Racism, Violence.
Thematically, Mr. Touchdown explores historical, social issues - prejudice & racism, friendship, coming of age, and sports — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, social issues - prejudice & racism, friendship.
- ✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Mr. Touchdown carries an award.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
MS · Moderate · SocialReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Real 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
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
- 9780595672882
- Pages
- 182
- Publisher
- iUniverse
- Published
- July 29, 2005
- Type
- Fiction