Simone Biles

Name: Simone Biles
Author: Heather E. Schwartz
ISBN: 9781728458489

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Heather E. Schwartz

Gateway Biographies

Reading Level 6 IE · Intense · Emotional Ages 9-12 Heads Up Page-Turner

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. Its HootRating code, IE, means intense content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

From a lucky visit to a gym at age six to making history as a groundbreaking gymnast, Simone Biles has amazed the world with her incredible talent and determination. Beyond her record-breaking medals and unique moves, she has shown bravery by speaking openly about her personal challenges, including abuse and mental health struggles. Her story inspires readers to overcome obstacles and stand strong in the face of adversity.

Themes

Sports Coming of Age FamilyMental HealthSocial Justice

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include child abuse, sexual assault, mental health. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Simone Biles IE (Intense)

Simone Biles is written at a Level 6 reading level across 52 pages (approximately 5,119 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage Simone Biles on their own.

Read aloud, Simone Biles takes about 34 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Simone Biles as IE (Intense, mostly 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, Mental Health, Illness & Injury, Needles/Syringes.

Thematically, Simone Biles explores sports, coming of age, family, mental health, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, coming of age, family.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 19 more books in the Gateway Biographies series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 9 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.

For Parents

Content Intensity

IE · Intense · Emotional

Emotional

Intense ←

Physical

Intense

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.