Striker
David Skuy
Striker
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David Skuy
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of fresh-cut grass fills the air as Cody laces up his cleats, feeling the rough texture of the soccer ball beneath his fingers. After a year away from the game, his leg aches with every step, but the roar of the crowd calls him back to the field. Trusting his strength and courage, Cody faces a challenge bigger than the game itself.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Striker is a middle-grade novel about Cody, a thirteen-year-old boy returning to soccer after battling cancer and recovering from surgery. The story explores themes of resilience and friendship as Cody navigates physical challenges and the courage needed to share his secret with teammates. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it handles serious topics like illness with sensitivity and hope.
Why we rated Striker 11ME
Striker is written at a Level 6 reading level across 216 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Striker works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Striker as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Striker explores sports, friendship, coming of age, and illness & recovery — 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, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781459411852
- Pages
- 216
- Publisher
- Lorimer Children & Teens
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction