Power play
Eric Walters
Power play
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Eric Walters
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The coach points at me and says, "You're on the second line." I skate onto the ice, heart pounding, ready to prove I belong on the first. But behind the cheers, something dark is waiting—something I never saw coming.
Quick Assessment
Power Play is a middle-grade novel that tackles the serious issue of child sexual abuse within the context of junior hockey. It portrays the complex and troubling relationship between a young athlete and his coach with sensitivity and realism. Recommended for ages 9-12, this book is a powerful cautionary tale that addresses difficult topics and may require parental guidance.
Why we rated Power play 11IE
Power play is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Power play works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Power play as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Sexual Abuse.
Thematically, Power play explores sports, coming of age, family, and social justice — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781443407618
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- HarperTrophy
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction