The Great Race

Name: The Great Race
Author: Gary Blackwood
ISBN: 9780810994898

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

The Amazing Round-the-World Auto Race of 1908

by Gary Blackwood

Reading Level 4-5 C · Gentle Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

A Junior Library Guild selection

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. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links.

About This Book

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to race cars all around the world? Imagine roaring engines, daring drivers, and a journey that spans continents in the year 1908. Who will speed to victory in this thrilling adventure?

Themes

Sports & RecreationHistoryAdventureJuvenile Nonfiction

Quick Assessment

This book explores the historic 1908 Round-the-World Auto Race, introducing young readers to early motor sports and the challenges faced by drivers at that time. Suitable for ages 9-12, it combines nonfiction elements with engaging storytelling to capture interest in sports and history. There is no intense content, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers.

Why we rated The Great Race C (Gentle)

The Great Race is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage The Great Race on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate The Great Race 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 Great Race explores sports & recreation, history, adventure, and juvenile nonfiction — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports & recreation, history, adventure.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — The Great Race carries an award.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

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?