What a Kick
Emma Carlson Berne
What a Kick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
How a Clutch World Cup Win Propelled Women's Soccer
by Emma Carlson Berne
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
This book reveals the story behind one of the most famous soccer photos ever taken—showing a powerful moment from the 1999 Women's World Cup final. It captures the excitement, teamwork, and courage that made history on the field. Discover why this single picture still inspires millions today.
Themes
Quick Assessment
What a Kick explores the pivotal final game of the 1999 Women’s World Cup and the iconic photograph that immortalized this historic sports moment. Suitable for early readers aged 5 to 8, it combines juvenile nonfiction with historical context about 20th-century United States sports. The book celebrates teamwork and female athletes, providing an inspiring introduction to sports history without intense content.
Why we rated What a Kick 8C
What a Kick is written at a Level 3 reading level across 65 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What a Kick works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate What a Kick as 8C ("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, What a Kick explores history, sports, photography, female empowerment, and united states — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about history, sports, photography.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780756552930
- Pages
- 65
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2016-01-01
- Type
- Nonfiction