Touchdown (Take Ten Books)
Richard Steel
Touchdown (Take Ten Books)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Richard Steel
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if you could solve a mystery that no one else could? A star football player has died under strange circumstances, and only one person sees the clues clearly—a classmate who is blind. Can they uncover the truth before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows a blind student determined to solve the mysterious death of a football player at their school. It combines themes of sports, disability, and mystery suitable for ages 9-12, offering an engaging story that highlights perseverance and perspective. The book handles sensitive topics thoughtfully without graphic content.
Why we rated Touchdown (Take Ten Books) 10LP
Touchdown (Take Ten Books) is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Touchdown (Take Ten Books) works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Touchdown (Take Ten Books) as 10LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Touchdown (Take Ten Books) explores sports & recreation - football, mystery, disability representation, and friendship — 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 sports & recreation - football, mystery, disability representation.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Mr. Touchdown
Lyda Phillips
Mr. Touchdown
Lyda Phillips
Touchdown! My Football Book
David Diehl
Touchdown! My Football Book
David Diehl
Super Bowl Super Touchdowns-2006
Joe Layden
Super Bowl Super Touchdowns-2006
Joe Layden
Football
Cathleen Small
Football
Cathleen Small
Rising Stars
Richard Deitsch
Rising Stars
Richard Deitsch
Football
Karen Durrie
Football
Karen Durrie
Details
- ISBN
- 9780613063371
- Publisher
- Turtleback Books
- Published
- October 1999
- Type
- Fiction