HootRated mascot HootRated

Push girl

Chelsie Hill

Cover of Push girl

Push girl

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Novel

by Chelsie Hill

Reading Level 6 11ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

What happens when everything you know suddenly shifts in a flash? Imagine facing the challenges of family struggles and navigating friendships while living with paralysis. How will you find your strength and keep moving forward?

Themes

Quick Assessment

Push Girl is a middle-grade novel inspired by the real-life experiences of Chelsie Hill, co-author and star of the Sundance Channel's 'Push Girls.' It explores themes of paralysis, family difficulties, and social dynamics, including dating customs, in an accessible way for readers ages 9 to 12. The story offers a hopeful perspective on resilience and adapting to life changes, with content appropriate for middle-grade readers.

Why we rated Push girl 11ME

Push girl is written at a Level 6 reading level across 227 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Push girl works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Push girl as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — 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 mild intensity score.

Thematically, Push girl explores family, people with disabilities, friendship, coming of age, 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 family, people with disabilities, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Light
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

227 pages
ISBN
9781250045911
Pages
227
Publisher
Macmillan
Published
2014
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

ParalysisFamily ProblemsPeople With DisabilitiesDatingHigh SchoolsSchoolsFriendshipGirlsSocial IssuesSpecial NeedsLove & RomanceFamilyParents