The Tour
Dave Shields
The Tour
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dave Shields
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: Ben Barnes isn't just racing to win the Tour de France—he's fighting against sneaky sabotage and a world full of cheaters. With his team turning against him and storms raging ahead, every pedal stroke could be his last chance. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Ben Barnes as he competes in the Tour de France, facing challenges like sabotage, team conflicts, and the pressure of competitors using illegal drugs. It explores themes of sportsmanship, integrity, and perseverance, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the story includes some tension around cheating and relationship struggles but handles these mature themes in an age-appropriate way.
Why we rated The Tour 11ME
The Tour is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Tour works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Tour as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Cheating, Pressure, Relationship Challenges.
Thematically, The Tour explores sports, friendship, perseverance, integrity, and adventure — 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, friendship, perseverance.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Tour de France
James Becket
Tour de France
James Becket
Tour de France
S. L. Berry
Tour de France
S. L. Berry
Tour de France
Adam Hellebuyck
Tour de France
Adam Hellebuyck
Tour de France (Seuil)
James Startt
Tour de France (Seuil)
James Startt
Tour De France (Sporting Championships)
Grant Gilbert
Tour De France (Sporting Championships)
Grant Gilbert
Tour of Trouble
Michele Jakubowski
Tour of Trouble
Michele Jakubowski
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780974849218
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Three Story Press
- Published
- April 1, 2006
- Type
- Fiction