Sixth Man (Double Fastback Sports Series)
Dan J. Marlowe
Sixth Man (Double Fastback Sports Series)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dan J. Marlowe
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What happens when a star player suddenly has to sit on the bench? Arnie faces a new coach who changes everything about the game. Can he prove he's the best sixth man on the team or will he lose his chance to shine?
Quick Assessment
This young adult fiction follows Arnie, a talented high school basketball player who must adapt when a new coach arrives and changes his role on the team. The story explores themes of resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery, suitable for readers aged 13 to 18. It features mild sports-related competition and personal growth without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated Sixth Man (Double Fastback Sports Series) 8LE
Sixth Man (Double Fastback Sports Series) is written at a Level 3 reading level across 61 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sixth Man (Double Fastback Sports Series) works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Sixth Man (Double Fastback Sports Series) as 8LE ("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, Sixth Man (Double Fastback Sports Series) explores sports, coming of age, friendship, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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, coming of age, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — 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
- 9780822423980
- Pages
- 61
- Publisher
- Fearon Teacher Aids
- Published
- June 1987
- Type
- Fiction