The cup final
Jan Burchett
The cup final
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jan Burchett
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The sharp clang of metal fills the air as the coach’s head gets stuck in cold iron railings! The Tigers’ last game to win the cup hangs in the balance, and the tense buzz of the crowd mixes with the smell of fresh grass. Can the team find a way to save the match and claim victory?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story follows a young soccer team, the Tigers, as they face an unexpected challenge during the crucial final game. Suitable for ages 5-8, the book combines humor and suspense without any intense content, making it a light and engaging read for early readers. Themes include teamwork and problem-solving, with a gentle touch of juvenile fiction elements.
Why we rated The cup final 8C
The cup final is written at a Level 3 reading level across 62 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The cup final works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The cup final as 8C ("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 cup final explores friendship, sports, humor, and juvenile fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781408808306
- Pages
- 62
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction