Next
Kevin Waltman
Next
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kevin Waltman
The text is written at a 6th 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
The sharp squeak of sneakers on the polished gym floor fills the air, mixing with the rhythmic bounce of the basketball. The crowd's cheers ripple around the court as dreams and pressure collide in every play. But beneath the bright lights, a young player wrestles with what it truly means to grow up.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Next by Kevin Waltman explores the challenges faced by a middle school basketball player navigating the expectations of adulthood while trying to hold onto childhood. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story touches on themes of growing up, school life, and African American experiences in a high school setting. The book presents these topics with sensitivity and is appropriate for middle grade readers.
Why we rated Next 11LE
Next is written at a Level 6 reading level across 287 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Next works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Next as 11LE ("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, Next explores schools, basketball, african americans, fiction, and high schools — 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 schools, basketball, african americans.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781935955641
- Pages
- 287
- Publisher
- Cinco Puntos Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction