The football fumble
David A. Kelly
The football fumble
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David A. Kelly
Illustrated by Brundage, Scott, illustrator
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The sharp whistle blows, and the crisp autumn air smells like fresh-cut grass and sneakers on the field. The MVP kids line up, hearts pounding, as the bigger, mean-looking team from Hamilton Elementary steps onto the turf. Can friendship and teamwork help them score a winning touchdown despite the tough challenge ahead?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader chapter book follows the Most Valuable Players (MVP) kids as they prepare for a big football game against a tough and intimidating rival team. Suitable for children ages 5-8, it combines themes of friendship, sportsmanship, and perseverance with light conflict involving bullying. The story encourages teamwork and resilience in a supportive sports environment, making it appropriate for young readers who enjoy sports and club-based stories.
Why we rated The football fumble 8LE
The football fumble is written at a Level 3 reading level across 93 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The football fumble works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The football fumble as 8LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The football fumble explores friendship, clubs, sports, football, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, clubs, sports.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Football Foul Play
Jake Maddox
Football Foul Play
Jake Maddox
The Football Fiasco
Mike Lupica
The Football Fiasco
Mike Lupica
Football fumble
Karen Barss
Football fumble
Karen Barss
Football fugitive.
Matt Christopher
Football fugitive.
Matt Christopher
Football
Sue Boulais
Football
Sue Boulais
Football
Ryan Nagelhout
Football
Ryan Nagelhout
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780553513257
- Pages
- 93
- Publisher
- Random House Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction