Playing Soccer
Ken Laitin
Playing Soccer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ken Laitin
The text is written at a 4th 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
Have you ever wondered what makes a soccer player truly great? Two friends share their secrets about scoring goals, mastering moves, and facing challenges on the field. But will their teamwork be enough to win the big game?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book introduces readers to the basics of soccer through the conversations of two young players. It covers fundamental skills and strategies while highlighting memorable moments from their playing experiences. Suitable for ages 9-12, it encourages interest in sports and teamwork without any concerning content.
Why we rated Playing Soccer 9C
Playing Soccer is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 116 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Playing Soccer works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Playing Soccer as 9C ("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, Playing Soccer explores sports, friendship, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, friendship, adventure.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780590321563
- Pages
- 116
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- August 1982
- Type
- Fiction