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Record Breakers

James Buckley, Jr.

Cover of Record Breakers

Record Breakers

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by James Buckley, Jr.

Reading Level 4-5 9C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Some NFL records have stood for decades, and breaking them takes more than just talent—it takes heart, hustle, and history! Discover the unstoppable players who shattered records and changed the game forever. These stories prove why every second on the field counts.

Themes

Sports & RecreationJuvenile NonfictionHistoryAchievement

Quick Assessment

This engaging nonfiction book introduces readers aged 9-12 to the most impressive NFL records and the athletes behind them. With accessible language and vivid photographs, it highlights sports history and achievement, making it ideal for young sports enthusiasts and beginner readers. The content is appropriate for middle-grade readers, featuring no intense or sensitive material.

Why we rated Record Breakers 9C

Record Breakers is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Record Breakers works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Record Breakers 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, Record Breakers explores sports & recreation, juvenile nonfiction, history, and achievement — 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.
  • Kids drawn to stories about sports & recreation, juvenile nonfiction, history.

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

9C — Clear
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
2
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

ISBN
9780613875912
Publisher
Turtleback
Published
August 2003
Type
Fiction

Subjects

BeginnerSports & RecreationFootballRecreationOutdoors