STAT
Amar'e Stoudemire
STAT
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Most valuable
by Amar'e Stoudemire
Illustrated by Jessell, Tim, illustrator
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Amar'e is more than just a basketball fan—he’s a problem solver when his hero gets sidelined! With the streetball tournament on the line, Amar'e and his friends take charge to keep the game alive. Their teamwork shows why passion and friendship matter on and off the court.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Amar'e as he steps up to organize a local streetball tournament after his basketball idol is injured. The story highlights themes of friendship, leadership, and community involvement, making it suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. It offers positive role models and encourages teamwork without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated STAT 9C
STAT is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 136 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, STAT works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate STAT as 9C ("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, STAT explores friendship, sports, african american athletes, 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 friendship, sports, african american athletes.
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
9C — 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
- 9780545606134
- Pages
- 136
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction