What reading level is the Above the Rim series?

Above the Rim books are at a grades 6–7 reading level (average grade level 6.6), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 2 books in the series.

Above the Rim Books in Order

Above the Rim is a 2-book series by Robert E. Schnakenberg for ages 9–12, at a grades 6–7 reading level, with gentle content (HootRated intensity 1/5).

Books: 2; By publication date
Reading level: Grades 6–7; Average grade level 6.6
Recommended ages: Ages 9–12; From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity: Gentle; HootRated 1/5

Above the Rim Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most Above the Rim books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

#	Title	Reading Level	Ages	Content
1	Central Division: The Atlanta Hawks, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Orleans Hornets, (Above the Rim: the NBA Library) 2004	Level 6-7	9-12	Gentle
2	Pacific Division: The Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and (Above the Rim: the NBA Library) The Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and the Seattle Supersonics 2004 · Ted Brock	Level 7	9-12	Gentle

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

First book Latest book

Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Above the Rim (2 books by Robert E. Schnakenberg) lands at a grades 6–7 reading level, with average content intensity 1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.

All Above the Rim Books

Central Division: The Atlanta Hawks, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Orleans Hornets, (Above the Rim: the NBA Library)

Robert E. Schnakenberg

Cover of Central Division: The Atlanta Hawks, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Orleans Hornets, (Above the Rim: the NBA Library)

Central Division: The Atlanta Hawks, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Orleans Hornets, (Above the Rim: the NBA Library)

Robert E. Schnakenberg

Level 6-7 Gentle

Pacific Division: The Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and (Above the Rim: the NBA Library)

Ted Brock

Cover of Pacific Division: The Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and (Above the Rim: the NBA Library)

Pacific Division: The Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and (Above the Rim: the NBA Library)

Ted Brock

Level 7 Gentle

Series Like Above the Rim: What to Read Next

Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.

Questions about the Above the Rim series

What reading level is the Above the Rim series?: Above the Rim books are at a grades 6–7 reading level (average grade level 6.6), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 2 books in the series.
What order should I read the Above the Rim books?: Series numbers aren't available for most Above the Rim books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Central Division: The Atlanta Hawks, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Orleans Hornets, (Above the Rim: the NBA Library) (2004); Pacific Division: The Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and (Above the Rim: the NBA Library) (2004).
What age is the Above the Rim series appropriate for?: HootRated recommends Above the Rim for ages 9–12. Content is gentle (HootRated intensity 1/5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.