What reading level is Strong?

Strong by Matthew K. Manning is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Strong appropriate for?

Strong is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LP (Light — Physical). Content flags: Mild Peril.

What genre is Strong?

Strong is fiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Tony Hawk: Live2Skate series.

Does Strong have any content warnings?

Strong has a HootRating of 9LP (Light — Physical). Content flags include: Mild Peril. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Strong?

Strong by Matthew K. Manning is 69 pages (approximately 8,453 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Strong

Matthew K. Manning

Strong

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Matthew K. Manning

Tony Hawk: Live2Skate

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Kevin reluctantly agrees to help a neighbor but soon discovers an abandoned pool that becomes the ultimate skateboarding spot. As he rides and explores, he learns important lessons about responsibility and friendship. Adventure and fun collide in this exciting middle-grade tale.

Themes

SkateboardingFriendshipResponsibilityAdventureJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Strong 9LP

Strong is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 69 pages (approximately 8,453 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Strong works for readers up to grade 6.5.

Read aloud, Strong takes about 56 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Strong as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Strong explores skateboarding, friendship, responsibility, adventure, and juvenile fiction — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about skateboarding, friendship, responsibility.