At the Kennel
Dom Pesce
At the Kennel
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Understanding Addition
by Dom Pesce
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Dogs and cats scramble around the kennel as numbers pop up everywhere! Puppies chase after pairs of bones, but what happens when one goes missing? The counting adventure is just getting started!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader introduces foundational arithmetic and simple algebraic concepts through engaging scenarios involving dogs and cats at a kennel. Designed for children ages 5 to 8, it aligns with Common Core standards to support addition, subtraction, and number decomposition skills. The accessible text and helpful images make math approachable for young learners.
Why we rated At the Kennel 7C
At the Kennel is written at a Level 2 reading level across 18 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, At the Kennel works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate At the Kennel as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, At the Kennel explores arithmetic, education, animals, and early learning — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about arithmetic, education, animals.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781477720172
- Pages
- 18
- Publisher
- The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction