The joy of swimming
Lisa Congdon
The joy of swimming
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Celebration of Our Love for Getting in the Water
by Lisa Congdon
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
Swimming isn’t just a sport—it’s a way to feel free and brave all at once! Imagine colorful swim caps, cool vintage bathing suits, and real stories that show how jumping into the water can change everything. This book proves that swimming is more than splashes—it’s about courage and joy that lasts beyond the pool.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This beautifully illustrated book celebrates swimming through inspiring quotes, personal stories, and vibrant artwork. Suitable for ages 9-12, it encourages a love of water and highlights swimming as both a physical activity and a meaningful life experience. Parents can expect a positive, uplifting read with no concerning content.
Why we rated The joy of swimming 9C
The joy of swimming is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 140 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The joy of swimming works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The joy of swimming as 9C ("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 joy of swimming explores swimming, friendship, adventure, family, and science & nature — 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 swimming, friendship, adventure.
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
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781452144139
- Pages
- 140
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction