Red Card (Zeke Armstrong Mysteries)
Daniel J. Hale
Red Card (Zeke Armstrong Mysteries)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Daniel J. Hale
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Zeke races across the soccer field, heart pounding as the crowd cheers. Suddenly, his coach collapses, and everything changes in an instant. Can Zeke uncover the truth before danger finds him next?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows thirteen-year-old Zeke Armstrong as he navigates a new life in Dallas and joins a soccer team. When his coach becomes the target of a dangerous plot, Zeke must solve the mystery to protect his team and himself. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story features themes of friendship, sportsmanship, and suspense without graphic content.
Why we rated Red Card (Zeke Armstrong Mysteries) 10LP
Red Card (Zeke Armstrong Mysteries) is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Red Card (Zeke Armstrong Mysteries) works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Red Card (Zeke Armstrong Mysteries) as 10LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Red Card (Zeke Armstrong Mysteries) explores mystery, sports, friendship, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, sports, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9781417601905
- Publisher
- Tandem Library
- Published
- July 2002
- Type
- Fiction