Sexual Abuse in Youth Sport
Michael J. Hartill
Sexual Abuse in Youth Sport
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Sociocultural Analysis
by Michael J. Hartill
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What if the place where kids learn to play and grow could hide a very serious secret? This story uncovers the hidden dangers of sports and why some kids need help to stay safe. Understanding this can change the way we protect everyone who loves to play.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book explores the difficult and serious topic of child sexual abuse within youth sports, based on real-life survivor interviews and extensive research. It is intended for mature middle-grade readers and provides a critical look at the issue from psychological, sociological, and criminological perspectives. Parents should be aware that the content addresses trauma and abuse in a direct but educational manner, making it suitable for guided reading and discussion.
Why we rated Sexual Abuse in Youth Sport 11IE
Sexual Abuse in Youth Sport is written at a Level 6 reading level across 234 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sexual Abuse in Youth Sport works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Sexual Abuse in Youth Sport as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Sexual Abuse, Trauma.
Thematically, Sexual Abuse in Youth Sport explores sports, child protection, social justice, and trauma recovery — 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, child protection, social justice.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781138494244
- Pages
- 234
- Publisher
- Routledge Research in Sport, Culture and Society
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction