Wrestling
Don Nardo
Wrestling
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Personal Look at Professional Wrestling
by Don Nardo
The text is written at a 4th 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
The roar of the crowd shakes the arena as sweat drips down Don Savage’s brow. The smell of leather and the thud of bodies hitting the mat fill the air. Inside the world of professional wrestling, every match is a battle, and every moment carries the weight of dreams and determination.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This fictional story follows Don Savage, a professional wrestler and high school teacher, as he navigates the challenges and excitement of the wrestling world. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging look at the sport’s history and culture through relatable anecdotes. Parents should note that it explores the physicality and drama of wrestling in an age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Wrestling 9LP
Wrestling is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Wrestling works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Wrestling as 9LP ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Wrestling explores sports, friendship, coming of age, and history — 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, friendship, coming of age.
- ✓ 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
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Wrestling
Nick Rebman
Wrestling
Nick Rebman
Wrestling
Christin Ditchfield
Wrestling
Christin Ditchfield
Pro Wrestling
Kenny Abdo
Pro Wrestling
Kenny Abdo
Wrestling (True Books)
Christin Ditchfield
Wrestling (True Books)
Christin Ditchfield
Pro wrestling
Michael Sandler
Pro wrestling
Michael Sandler
Wrestling the ABCs
Tom Davids
Wrestling the ABCs
Tom Davids
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1560068930
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- iUniverse
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Nonfiction