Sophomore (Class of '89, No 2)
Linda A. Cooney
Sophomore (Class of '89, No 2)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Linda A. Cooney
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The gym buzzes with the squeak of sneakers and the sharp whistle of the coach, but today, the spotlight shifts from basketballs to paintbrushes. Micki, the class president, stirs up the hallways by funding an art show instead of the basketball team, sparking whispers and sideways glances. Friendships are tested and dreams challenged as sophomore year spins into a whirlwind of surprises and heartbeats.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the ups and downs of sophomore year through the experiences of class president Micki and her friends. Themes include friendship, school politics, and early adolescent challenges such as crushes and social conflicts. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it offers an engaging look at middle school life with no intense content.
Why we rated Sophomore (Class of '89, No 2) 11LE
Sophomore (Class of '89, No 2) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sophomore (Class of '89, No 2) works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Sophomore (Class of '89, No 2) as 11LE ("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, Sophomore (Class of '89, No 2) explores school & education, friendship, coming of age, 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 school & education, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780590416757
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- August 1988
- Type
- Fiction