Deadline
Greenwillow Books 2008
Book 2 of Newsflesh
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.1 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Book 2 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- mortality
- living fully
- first love
- family and brotherhood
- secrets and truth
- identity
- sportsmanship
- courage
About this book
When high school senior Ben Wolf is told he has a terminal illness, he decides to keep it secret and live his last year on his own terms. He goes out for football despite his size, pursues his crush on Dallas Suzuki, and pushes his teachers to face hard truths. With humor, heart, and plenty of sports action, the story explores big questions about life, love, and what it means to make your time count. A compelling read for mature teens who like realistic, thought‑provoking fiction.
Setting: small-town Idaho, contemporary high school football season
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deadline right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Deadline. The reading level is AR 5.1, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include mortality, living fully, first love. Note: this is book 2 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read Deadline?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Deadline takes around 9.1h to finish. The book has 90,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Deadline have an AR quiz?
Yes — Deadline has an AR quiz available, worth 11 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Deadline?
Deadline has an AR reading level of 5.1, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.