The champion
Maurice Gee
The champion
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Maurice Gee
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What happens when a quiet village meets a stranger unlike anyone they've seen before? Rex, just twelve, watches as his peaceful New Zealand home is stirred by the arrival of a black American soldier in the middle of World War II. How will this visitor change everything Rex thought he knew about friendship and fairness?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1943 New Zealand during World War II, this middle-grade novel explores the impact of a black American soldier's arrival on a small village through the eyes of twelve-year-old Rex. The story sensitively addresses themes of race relations and cultural change, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the historical context and discussions around race, but the book offers valuable opportunities for conversations about diversity and empathy.
Why we rated The champion 11ME
The champion is written at a Level 6 reading level across 212 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The champion works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The champion as 11ME ("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 — 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, The champion explores world war ii, race relations, friendship, historical, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ 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 world war ii, race relations, friendship.
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
11ME — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0671865617
- Pages
- 212
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction