Open Ice
Hughes, Pat
Open Ice
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Hughes, Pat
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What happens when the one thing you love the most suddenly stops you in your tracks? Nick Taglio has played hockey since he was five, but a serious concussion might end his season—and his dreams—forever. Can he find a way to score off the ice before everything he cares about falls apart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Open Ice explores the challenges faced by a teenage hockey player sidelined by a severe concussion. The story addresses themes of injury, mental health, and the impact on family, friendships, and academics. Suitable for ages 13-18, it sensitively handles the emotional struggles of adolescent identity and recovery without graphic content.
Why we rated Open Ice 11ME
Open Ice is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Open Ice works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Open Ice as 11ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Open Ice explores sports, mental health, family, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, mental health, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
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
- 9780553494440
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Laurel Leaf
- Published
- November 13, 2007
- Type
- Fiction