So, you want to work in sports?
Joanne Mattern
So, you want to work in sports?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Sports Industry
by Joanne Mattern
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered how your favorite sports games come to life? Imagine being the person behind the camera capturing the winning shot or the expert helping players bounce back from injuries. What kind of sports job could be perfect for you?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This engaging nonfiction book introduces children ages 9-12 to a wide range of careers in the sports industry, from well-known roles like athletes to essential behind-the-scenes jobs such as sports photography and medical support. It includes practical tips, inspiring biographies, and resources to encourage young readers to explore their interests. The content is age-appropriate and offers a broad perspective on sports-related vocations without any intense or sensitive material.
Why we rated So, you want to work in sports? 11C
So, you want to work in sports? is written at a Level 6 reading level across 213 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, So, you want to work in sports? works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate So, you want to work in sports? as 11C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, So, you want to work in sports? explores careers, sports, vocational guidance, nonfiction, and inspiration — 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 careers, sports, vocational guidance.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781582704494
- Pages
- 213
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Nonfiction