Passing the Football
Paul J. Deegan
Passing the Football
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Paul J. Deegan
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered how to throw a football just right? Imagine standing on the field, the ball in your hands, ready to make the perfect pass. But can you master the tricky move that wins the game?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Passing the Football is an early reader book designed for children ages 5 to 8, introducing basic football passing techniques. It combines simple instructions with engaging illustrations suitable for young readers developing their sports skills and literacy. The content is appropriate for early elementary children with no intense themes.
Why we rated Passing the Football 7C
Passing the Football is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Passing the Football works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Passing the Football as 7C ("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, Passing the Football explores sports, instructional, and early literacy — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, instructional, early literacy.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780898121322
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Creative Education
- Published
- March 1980
- Type
- Fiction