The Breakaways

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cathy G. Johnson

Reading Level 2-3 C · Gentle 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. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

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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 9–12

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 C (Gentle)

The Breakaways is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 210 pages (approximately 4,927 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 3 and up can manage The Breakaways on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

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

We rate The Breakaways as C (Gentle) 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.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading 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

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?