Swimming the distance
Jane bingham
Swimming the distance
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jane bingham
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Splash! The cool water rushes past Mason as he pushes off the wall, his heart pounding with every stroke. The pool smells like chlorine and echoes with cheers, but can he find the strength to swim farther than ever before?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader fiction follows Mason, a young swimmer who excels at short races but struggles with endurance. The story emphasizes themes of physical fitness, training, and competition, making it a great choice for children ages 5-8 who are interested in sports and perseverance. The content is gentle and appropriate for early readers, focusing on motivation and self-improvement.
Why we rated Swimming the distance 8C
Swimming the distance is written at a Level 3 reading level across 89 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Swimming the distance works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Swimming the distance as 8C ("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, Swimming the distance explores physical fitness, competition, training, and juvenile fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about physical fitness, competition, training.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo 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
- 9781434296375
- Pages
- 89
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction