Violence2/5
Why this rating?
Contains depictions of wrestling matches, which are competitive but controlled and non-violent in intent.
book
Takedown
Is Takedown appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.
Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Takedown by Matt Christopher. This book is recommended for ages 8+; content notes include Violence; positive qualities include Good role models, Positive messages.
Ages 8+Book 19 · Football BooksSource checked
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10-second decision
Is this likely to fit your family?
Age guidanceAges 8+
Strongest cautionsViolence 2/5
Strongest positivesGood role models 4/5 · Positive messages 4/5
Series positionBook 19 · Football Books
Recommendation3.3/5
Good role models; strongest caution: violence.
This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.
Quick context
What parents should know
The story is aimed at middle-grade readers; wrestling action and competitive tension are likely mild, with emotional themes involving effort, setbacks, and fair play. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Good role models; strongest caution: violence.
Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 8+Main watch-out: Violence 2/5
Recommendation 3.3/5Show Wikipedia summary
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Quick view
At a glance
Recommended age8+
Strongest cautions
- Violence2/5
Strongest positives
- Good role models4/5
- Positive messages4/5
- Courage & resilience3/5
Reading order
Series progression
All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.
- Starting point
- Book 2 · Touchdown for TommyAges 8+About the same
- Gets more intense
- Book 4 · Tough to tackleAges 8+Gets gentler
- Book 5 · Football fugitiveAges 8+About the same
- Book 6 · Catch that pass!Ages 8+Gets gentler
- Gets more intense
- Book 8 · Fighting TackleAges 8+About the same
- About the same
- Gets gentler
- About the same
- Gets more intense
- Gets gentler
- About the same
- About the same
- About the same
- About the same
- About the same
- Book 19 · TakedownAges 8+Gets gentler
Similar, with lighter cautions
Want something gentler?
These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than Takedown. Open each review for the details.
What’s in it?
Checked and not flagged
No concern recorded in these categories
These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.
Strong language · 0/5Frightening scenes · 0/5
What’s good in it?
Family discussion
Talk about it
Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.
- Which character was the best role model, and what did they do that you admired?
- How did the story handle conflict or violence? Did the characters have other choices?
- Which choice in Takedown would you have made differently, and why?
- Who changed the most in Takedown, and what caused that change?
Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings
What families noticed
Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.
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