Skateboard Breakdown
Eric Fein
Skateboard Breakdown
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Eric Fein
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Ty Taggart is the most fearless skater you’ll ever meet — but he’s been skating with a secret storm inside. When his skateboard breaks right before the big tournament, he has to find the courage to fix more than just his board. What happens next could change everything about how he skates and who he really is.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This Grade 3 level fiction book explores themes of grief, resilience, and personal growth through the lens of a young skateboarder coping with the loss of his brother. Suitable for ages 5-8, it gently addresses emotional challenges while celebrating determination and friendship. Parents should note the portrayal of loss and mild physical peril related to skateboarding accidents.
Why we rated Skateboard Breakdown 8ME
Skateboard Breakdown is written at a Level 3 reading level across 57 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Skateboard Breakdown works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Skateboard Breakdown as 8ME ("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, Skateboard Breakdown explores family, friendship, sports, coming of age, and grief — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, sports.
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
8ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781474771610
- Pages
- 57
- Publisher
- Raintree
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction