Nick
Alma J. Yates
Nick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alma J. Yates
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
Here’s a secret: Aaron didn’t expect his summer coaching job to change his life. He’s in a quiet Utah town, helping Nick, a spirited kid with his own challenges. But this summer is about more than basketball—it’s about family and surprises that no one saw coming.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of family, forgiveness, and faith through the story of Aaron, a law student who takes a summer coaching job and unexpectedly reconnects with his estranged father. Set in a small Utah town, it offers thoughtful reflections on Christian life and Mormon culture suitable for ages 9-12. The story handles emotional topics gently, without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated Nick 11LE
Nick is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Nick works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Nick 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, Nick explores family, forgiveness, christian life, fathers and sons, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, forgiveness, christian life.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1573450626
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Deseret Book Company
- Published
- 1995
- Type
- Fiction