The science of a flip turn

Name: The science of a flip turn
Author: Tamra Orr
ISBN: 9781633625839

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Tamra Orr

21st Century Skills Library: Full-Speed Sports

Reading Level 5-6 C · Gentle Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 5th 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.

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About This Book

Dive into the fascinating world beneath the surface as this story explores the secrets behind perfecting a flip turn in swimming. Discover how athletes use science and skill to glide through the water, while learning about the history and safety improvements that make the sport exciting and secure. Engaging trivia and thought-provoking questions invite young readers to think like scientists and athletes alike.

Themes

Sports Science & NatureSwimmingEducation

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated The science of a flip turn C (Gentle)

The science of a flip turn is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 2,015 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage The science of a flip turn on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, The science of a flip turn takes about 13 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate The science of a flip turn 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 science of a flip turn explores sports, science & nature, swimming, and education — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports, science & nature, swimming.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the 21st Century Skills Library: Full-Speed Sports series.
✓ 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?