Foul Play at Elm Tree Park
Trisha Speed Shaskan
Foul Play at Elm Tree Park
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Case 3
by Trisha Speed Shaskan
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
Have you ever wondered what happens when a prized baseball goes missing? Q just joined the team, while Ray prefers diving into books. Now, with everyone a suspect, can these two friends solve the mystery before the game is over?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader mystery follows two friends, Q and Ray, as they work together to find a stolen signed baseball. Suitable for children ages 5 to 8, the book promotes problem-solving and teamwork through a lighthearted detective story with animal characters. There is no intense content, making it a safe and engaging choice for young readers.
Why we rated Foul Play at Elm Tree Park 7C
Foul Play at Elm Tree Park is written at a Level 2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Foul Play at Elm Tree Park works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Foul Play at Elm Tree Park 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, Foul Play at Elm Tree Park explores mystery, friendship, sports, adventure, and animals — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, friendship, sports.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
4/10A 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
- 9781512411492
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Graphic Universe TM
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction