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The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press)

Donald Ferguson

Cover of The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press)

The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Donald Ferguson

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th 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

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to skate across the ice with your best friends, heart pounding as the crowd cheers? At Scranton High, two boys face thrilling challenges on and off the rink, where every game could change everything. But will their friendship be strong enough to win the biggest match yet?

Quick Assessment

This early twentieth-century middle-grade novel follows the adventures of two boys navigating friendship and competition at Scranton High School, centered around the sport of ice hockey. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, the story highlights teamwork and youthful challenges without intense conflict or mature themes. Parents can expect a wholesome, nostalgic depiction of school life and sportsmanship.

Why we rated The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press) 9LP

The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 124 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press) works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press) as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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 Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey (Dodo Press) explores friendship, sports, 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.
  • Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, coming of age.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

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

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
2
Theme Richness
3
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

124 pages
ISBN
9781406523614
Pages
124
Publisher
Dodo Press
Published
May 25, 2007
Type
Fiction