Skateboard Tough (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library)
Matt Christopher
Skateboard Tough (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Matt Christopher
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Brett zooms down the street, feeling the wind whip past him faster than ever before. The Lizard, a strange skateboard he found buried in his yard, seems to have powers he can't explain. But when his friends start whispering about a ghostly secret, Brett wonders—what really is riding with him?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Brett, a boy whose skateboarding skills suddenly soar after discovering a mysterious skateboard called The Lizard. As his friends grow suspicious, the story weaves in elements of mystery and friendship suitable for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the book contains light suspense and mild tension related to the possibility of a haunted object.
Why we rated Skateboard Tough (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) 9LE
Skateboard Tough (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 167 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Skateboard Tough (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Skateboard Tough (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) as 9LE ("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, Skateboard Tough (The New Matt Christopher Sports Library) explores sports & recreation, mystery, friendship, and coming of age — 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 & recreation, mystery, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781599531151
- Pages
- 167
- Publisher
- Norwood House Press
- Published
- August 30, 2007
- Type
- Fiction