What reading level is The Breakaways?

The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson is at a Level 2-3 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The Breakaways appropriate for?

The Breakaways is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 7C (Clear).

What genre is The Breakaways?

The Breakaways is fiction — Friendship.

Does The Breakaways have any content warnings?

The Breakaways has a HootRating of 7C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The Breakaways?

The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson is 210 pages (approximately 4,927 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

The Breakaways

Cathy G. Johnson

The Breakaways

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cathy G. Johnson

Reading Level 2-3 7C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Faith discovers a new world when she joins the soccer team, stepping out of her comfort zone for the first time. Through teamwork and challenges on the field, she learns what it truly means to be loyal and to build lasting friendships.

Challenged Book

About & Banning Context

Ages 8–11

In this graphic novel, Faith, a shy and introspective girl, faces the challenges of starting middle school and fitting in. Unexpectedly, she is invited by Amanda, a popular eighth grader, to join the school soccer team known as the Bloodhounds. Despite her lack of experience, Faith finds herself on the C team, which is more focused on their personal dramas than on soccer skills. As the story unfolds, Faith and her teammates develop deep connections that explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and self-identity, all while navigating the complexities of adolescence. The Breakaways presents a candid look at a diverse group of children striving to carve out their own spaces in the world.

Key Themes

friendship identity teamwork diversity adolescence

Reviewed By

School Library Journal Publishers Weekly Kirkus Reviews

Source: Unite Against Book Bans — The Breakaways

Themes

Friendship Sports Coming of Age Family

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 2-3 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated The Breakaways 7C

The Breakaways is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 210 pages (approximately 4,927 words). Strong independent readers around grade 3.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Breakaways works for readers up to grade 4.2.

Read aloud, The Breakaways takes about 33 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate The Breakaways as 7C ("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, The Breakaways explores friendship, sports, coming of age, and family — 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.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, coming of age.