Champ and Major
Joy McCullough
Champ and Major
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
First Dogs
by Joy McCullough
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
Did you know the White House is about to have its very first shelter dog? Champ has lived there before, but now he gets to show Major all the cool places and secrets. And that’s just the start of their big adventure together!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming picture book introduces young readers to Champ and Major, the dogs of President-elect Joe Biden, highlighting Major as the first shelter dog to live in the White House. Suitable for ages 5-8, it gently explores themes of family, new beginnings, and the significance of rescue pets without any intense content. Ideal for early readers interested in dogs and American presidents.
Why we rated Champ and Major 7C
Champ and Major is written at a Level 2 reading level across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Champ and Major works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Champ and Major 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, Champ and Major explores dogs, family, presidents, united states, and juvenile literature — 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 dogs, family, presidents.
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
- 9780593407158
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction