Tangerine (Apple Signature Edition)
Edward Bloor
Tangerine (Apple Signature Edition)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edward Bloor
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Paul is not just any kid—he’s nearly blind but refuses to let that stop him from playing soccer. While everyone else sees his brother as the star, Paul is ready to prove that courage and heart matter more than perfect vision. What secret about his past is hiding in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Tangerine tells the story of Paul, a visually impaired boy determined to play soccer and find his own identity beyond his famous brother. The book explores themes of disability, family dynamics, and social challenges appropriate for middle school readers and teens. It handles these topics with sensitivity, though parents should be aware of some emotional intensity related to family conflict and self-discovery.
Why we rated Tangerine (Apple Signature Edition) 12ME
Tangerine (Apple Signature Edition) is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tangerine (Apple Signature Edition) works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Tangerine (Apple Signature Edition) as 12ME ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — 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, Tangerine (Apple Signature Edition) explores disability representation, family, coming of age, sports, and social issues — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about disability representation, family, 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
12ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
See no color
Shannon Gibney
See no color
Shannon Gibney
Tangerine
Edward Bloor
Tangerine
Edward Bloor
A little edge of darkness
Tanya Faludy
A little edge of darkness
Tanya Faludy
Orange
Derrick Slack
Orange
Derrick Slack
Bright Future
Iris Howden
Bright Future
Iris Howden
Tangerine and Kiwi
Laila Héloua
Tangerine and Kiwi
Laila Héloua
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780590432771
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- September 1998
- Type
- Fiction