What reading level is the Above the Rim series?

The Above the Rim series by Robert E. Schnakenberg is at a Grades 6.1–7 reading level (average Grade 6.5). Intended for Middle Grades (Ages 9–12). There are 2 books in the series.

What order should I read the Above the Rim books?

The Above the Rim series has 2 books in order: 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), 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).

What age is the Above the Rim series appropriate for?

The Above the Rim series is recommended for Middle Grades (Ages 9–12). The average content intensity is 1/5.

Above the Rim Books in Order

2 books by Robert E. Schnakenberg. Reading level: Grades 6.1–7. Middle Grades (Ages 9–12).

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 reading level Grades 6.1–7, with average content intensity 1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series — a kid who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

The reading-order table below lists every book with per-volume reading level and intensity badges 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.

Books

Grades 6.1–7

Reading Level

1/5

Avg. Intensity

Middle Grades

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

First book Latest book

Above the Rim Reading Order

#	Title	Reading Level	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) Robert E. Schnakenberg	Level 6-7	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) Ted Brock	Level 7	Gentle

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

Questions about the Above the Rim series

What reading level is the Above the Rim series?: The Above the Rim series by Robert E. Schnakenberg is at a Grades 6.1–7 reading level (average Grade 6.5). Intended for Middle Grades (Ages 9–12). There are 2 books in the series.
What order should I read the Above the Rim books?: The reading-order table above lists all 2 books with per-volume reading level and intensity ratings. Start with book 1 and read in publication order unless the table indicates a different recommended order for newer readers.
What age is the Above the Rim series appropriate for?: The Above the Rim series is recommended for Middle Grades (Ages 9–12). The average content intensity is 1/5. Check the intensity trajectory above to see whether content gets heavier across the series — if it does, sensitive readers may want to stop earlier in the run.