Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Roller Girl
Victoria Jamieson
Roller Girl
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Victoria Jamieson
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.
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About This Book
The sharp scrape of roller skates echoes on the pavement as Astrid pushes herself harder and harder. The sun warms her face, but inside, a storm brews—her best friend Nicole has chosen a different path, and now Astrid must find her own way. Can she hold her balance on and off the rink, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart?
About & Banning Context
Roller Girl follows the journey of twelve-year-old Astrid as she navigates the challenges of friendship and self-discovery during a pivotal summer. After developing a passion for roller derby, she enrolls in a derby camp, while her best friend Nicole opts for dance camp. This decision leads to a difficult period for Astrid, who grapples with feelings of abandonment and the pressure to fit in with older campers. As she prepares for her first roller derby match and the transition to junior high, Astrid learns about resilience, the complexities of friendship, and the importance of embracing new experiences. Through her struggles, she discovers her inner strength and what it means to be part of a team.
- ● Updated 6.20.2025 Penguin Random House Contact BannedBooks@penguinrandomhouse.com (2025)
- ● A Newbery Honor book
- ● A Texas Bluebonnet Award winner
- ● A New York Times Bestseller
- ● A Spring 2015 Indie Next Pick (2015)
- ● A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year
- ● A New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing of 2015 (2015)
- ● A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
- + 43 more
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Astrid, a girl discovering her passion for roller derby while navigating the challenges of changing friendships and self-identity. Appropriate for ages 9 to 12, it explores themes like friendship, personal growth, and resilience with relatable emotional depth. Parents should note the story includes mild competitive tension and typical pre-teen social dynamics.
Why we rated Roller Girl 11LE
Roller Girl is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Roller Girl works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Roller Girl as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Roller Girl explores friendship, coming of age, sports, and family — 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 friendship, coming of age, sports.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780141378992
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Puffin Books
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction