Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports)
Claudia Manley
Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Claudia Manley
Ultra Sports
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 gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
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About This Book
Dive into the exciting world of long-distance swimming and discover what it takes to become an ultra swimmer. Learn about the intense training routines, essential safety tips, specialized equipment, and thrilling competitions that shape these incredible athletes. Meet inspiring swimmers from history and today who push their limits in the water.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 7-8 book with gentle content intensity. It's a Sweet Spot read — challenging text with gentle themes, ideal for advanced or 2e readers. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports) C (Gentle)
Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports) is written at a Level 7-8 reading level across 63 pages (approximately 7,851 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 8 and up can manage Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports) on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports) takes about 52 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports) 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, Ultra Swimming (Ultra Sports) explores sports & recreation, science & nature, 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about sports & recreation, science & nature, adventure.
- ✓ 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 · GentleReading 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.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0823935582
- Pages
- 63
- Publisher
- The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
- Published
- October 2001
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 7,851
- Read-Aloud
- ~52 min
- Text Density
- Light Text