What reading level is Record breaker?

Record breaker by Robin Stevenson is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 590L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Record breaker appropriate for?

Record breaker is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Bereavement.

What genre is Record breaker?

Record breaker is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Record breaker have any content warnings?

Record breaker has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Bereavement. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Record breaker?

Record breaker by Robin Stevenson is 142 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Record breaker

Robin Stevenson

Record breaker

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Robin Stevenson

Reading Level 3 8ME Ages 5-8 Heads Up

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

The sharp crackle of the radio fills the room, mixing with whispers of big, scary news from around the world. Jack feels a heavy silence in his heart as his family remembers someone very special who’s gone. Sometimes, the loudest sounds are inside us, and Jack is learning how to listen.

Themes

FamilyBereavementWorld RecordsSisters

Quick Assessment

Set in 1963, this early reader explores a young boy's experience with family grief amid significant historical events. It gently addresses themes of loss and coping with the death of a sibling, making it appropriate for children ages 5 to 8 who are beginning to understand complex emotions. Parents should be aware that the story sensitively touches on bereavement and family dynamics.

Why we rated Record breaker 8ME

Record breaker is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 590L across 142 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Record breaker works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate Record breaker 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bereavement.

Thematically, Record breaker explores family, bereavement, world records, and sisters — 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 family, bereavement, world records.

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.