Special physical education
Dunn, John M.
Special physical education
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dunn, John M.
The text is written at a 8th 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
Feel the bounce of the basketball as it hits the gym floor, hear the cheers and encouragement echoing around you. Imagine a place where everyone, no matter their abilities, gets to play, learn, and grow stronger together. This is where teamwork and determination come alive in a world made for all kinds of champions.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This updated edition introduces children ages 9-12 to inclusive physical education practices designed for students with various disabilities. It provides current research, case studies, and practical strategies to support children with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and nutritional challenges. The book is appropriate for middle-grade readers interested in understanding how physical education can be adapted to meet diverse needs.
Why we rated Special physical education 12LE
Special physical education is written at a Level 8 reading level across 671 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Special physical education works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Special physical education as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Special physical education explores disability representation, physical education, inclusion, friendship, and health & wellness — 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 disability representation, physical education, inclusion.
- ✓ 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
12LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9781465246318
- Pages
- 671
- Publisher
- Kendall Hunt Publishing Company
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Nonfiction