Six innings
James Preller
Six innings
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Game in the Life
by James Preller
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The crack of the bat echoes through the warm summer air, mingling with cheers and the smell of fresh-cut grass. On the field, every pitch counts as the championship game unfolds, but off the diamond, Sam listens closely, his voice bringing the game alive from his wheelchair. Even when life throws the toughest curveballs, the heart of baseball keeps everyone connected.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a Little League championship game, narrated by Sam, a boy battling cancer who cannot play but calls the game from his wheelchair. It explores themes of courage, friendship, and resilience suitable for ages 9-12, with sensitive handling of illness and sportsmanship. Parents should be aware of the emotional themes related to serious illness and perseverance.
Why we rated Six innings 9ME
Six innings is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 147 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Six innings works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Six innings as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Six innings explores friendship, sports, illness, resilience, 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, sports, illness.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9780312547363
- Pages
- 147
- Publisher
- Feiwel and Friends
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction