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Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2)

Leonard Kessler

Cover of Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2)

Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape

by Leonard Kessler

Reading Level 3 8C Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 3rd 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

The crack of the bat echoes as Bobby swings with all his might—but the ball zips past him again! His friend Willy cheers from the sidelines, ready with tips. Will Bobby hit a home run this time, or will the strikeout continue?

Themes

FriendshipPerseveranceSportsBeginner Reader

Quick Assessment

This early reader follows Bobby as he learns the challenges of hitting a baseball, supported by his friend Willy's advice. Designed for ages 5-8, this book and audio combo encourages reading confidence with simple vocabulary and engaging sound effects. The story promotes perseverance and friendship without any intense content.

Why we rated Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2) 8C

Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2) is written at a Level 3 reading level across 64 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2) works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2) as 8C ("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, Here Comes the Strikeout! Book and Tape (I Can Read Book 2) explores friendship, perseverance, sports, and beginner reader — 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 friendship, perseverance, sports.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

8C — Clear
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
2
Emotional Weight
2
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

64 pages
ISBN
9781559942317
Pages
64
Publisher
HarperFestival
Published
March 28, 1990
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

BeginnerChildren's Audio4-8Audio: JuvenileSports & RecreationBaseballAudiobooksChildren's Audiobooks