Tryout
Abbott, George
Tryout
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Abbott, George
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if you had just one shot to prove yourself on a big Broadway stage far from home? Imagine the excitement and nerves swirling as the curtain rises for an out-of-town tryout. Will the magic of the theater be enough to make dreams come true, or will the pressure steal the show?
Quick Assessment
Tryout follows a young protagonist navigating the challenges of an out-of-town Broadway play audition, capturing themes of ambition, resilience, and self-discovery. Suitable for middle-grade readers ages 9-12, this book offers a glimpse into the performing arts world without intense content, making it a positive and inspiring read for children interested in theater.
Why we rated Tryout 12LE
Tryout is written at a Level 7 reading level across 312 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tryout works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Tryout as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Tryout explores coming of age, family, adventure, 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 coming of age, family, 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
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0872235270
- Pages
- 312
- Publisher
- Playboy Press : trade distribution by Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction