Playing the field
Walker & Company 2002
Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up
Reading level 4.8 (4th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- sportsmanship
- friendship
- first crush
- honesty
- self-confidence
- teamwork
- identity
- perseverance
About this book
A funny, feel-good sports romance, Playing the Field follows a high school girl who signs on with the baseball team and suddenly finds herself juggling stats, practices, and a crush on the star player. She doesn’t know much about the game at first, but her quick wit and determination help her find her place on and off the field. Light drama, lots of laughs, and a sweet romance make this an easy, upbeat read. Perfect for middle school and young teen readers who like sports, friendships, and clean romantic comedy.
Setting: contemporary suburban high school and baseball field
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playing the field right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Playing the field. The reading level is AR 4.8, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include sportsmanship, friendship, first crush.
How long does it take to read Playing the field?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Playing the field takes around 5.5h to finish. The book has 50,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Playing the field have an AR quiz?
Yes — Playing the field has an AR quiz available, worth 6 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 Playing the field?
Playing the field has an AR reading level of 4.8, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.