Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Strong
Matthew K. Manning
Tony Hawk: Live2Skate
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. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
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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
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 LP (Mild)
Strong is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 69 pages (approximately 8,453 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Strong on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Strong takes about 56 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Strong as LP (Mild, mostly 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.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant 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
- 9781434240859
- Pages
- 69
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 8,453
- Read-Aloud
- ~56 min
- Text Density
- Light Text