Power Play
Jane bingham
Power Play
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jane bingham
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Kyla Woodson is not just any hockey player—she’s determined to claim the varsity spot everyone wants, even when her own feelings try to slow her down. Her secret weapon? Learning to turn anger into power on the ice. But can she win the game both on and off the rink?
Quick Assessment
Power Play follows Kyla Woodson, a ninth-grade hockey player navigating the challenges of competition and family changes, including her parents' divorce. This early-reader fiction explores themes of anger management, resilience, and sportsmanship, suitable for children aged 5-8, with sensitive handling of emotional topics. Parents should note the depiction of family dynamics and emotional struggles related to divorce.
Why we rated Power Play 8ME
Power Play is written at a Level 3 reading level across 96 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Power Play works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Power Play as 8ME ("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, Power Play explores sports, competition, family, divorce, and emotional growth — 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, competition, 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
8ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781496536778
- Pages
- 96
- Publisher
- Capstone Classroom
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction