Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme
Donald J. Sobol
Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Donald J. Sobol
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Leroy 'Encyclopedia' Brown is back, using his sharp mind to crack ten tricky cases that puzzle the town of Idaville. Young readers can test their own detective skills by solving the mysteries before the answers are revealed at the end. Packed with clever clues and fun illustrations, this collection keeps curious minds engaged and guessing!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme 9C
Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 91 pages (approximately 9,317 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme works for readers up to grade 6.2.
Read aloud, Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme runs about 1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme as 9C ("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, Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the soccer scheme explores mystery, detective stories, adventure, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, detective stories, adventure.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Encyclopedia Brown series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
8/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant 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
- 9780525425823
- Pages
- 91
- Publisher
- Dutton Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 9,317
- Read-Aloud
- ~1h 2m
- Text Density
- Light Text