What reading level is NHL?

NHL by B. Keith Davidson is at a Level 5-6 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is NHL appropriate for?

NHL is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10C (Clear).

NHL is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Crabtree Branches; Major League Sports (Crabtree) series.

Does NHL have any content warnings?

NHL has a HootRating of 10C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is NHL?

NHL by B. Keith Davidson is 32 pages (approximately 1,112 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

NHL

B. Keith Davidson

NHL

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by B. Keith Davidson

Crabtree Branches; Major League Sports (Crabtree)

Reading Level 5-6 10C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Explore the exciting world of the National Hockey League through captivating stories about its greatest players, legendary teams, and key roles on the ice. Perfect for young sports fans eager to learn about hockey's thrilling moments and rich history.

Themes

SportsRecreation

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated NHL 10C

NHL is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 1,112 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, NHL works for readers up to grade 7.2.

Read aloud, NHL takes about 7 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate NHL as 10C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, NHL weaves together sports and recreation.

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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, recreation.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Crabtree Branches; Major League Sports (Crabtree) series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.