Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The science of a flip turn
Tamra Orr
The science of a flip turn
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tamra Orr
21st Century Skills Library: Full-Speed Sports
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.
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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
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 10C
The science of a flip turn is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 2,015 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The science of a flip turn works for readers up to grade 7.6.
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 10C ("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 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 whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
8/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the 21st Century Skills Library: Full-Speed Sports Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781633625839
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Cherry Lake Publishing
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 2,015
- Read-Aloud
- ~13 min
- Text Density
- Light Text