In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

Bette Bao Lord

Cover of In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Bette Bao Lord

Reading Level 4-5 Mild (Lvl 2) Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

The crack of a baseball bat echoes through the busy streets of Brooklyn, mixing with the smells of street food and city sounds. Shirley Temple Wong feels the rough leather of the baseball glove for the first time, and suddenly, a new world opens up to her far from home. As she learns the game, she also finds a place where she belongs, but the journey is just beginning.

Themes

New ExperienceAsian AmericanSchoolsChinese AmericansFriendshipComing of AgeSocial Issues

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Shirley Temple Wong, a young Chinese immigrant adjusting to life in 1940s Brooklyn. Through her discovery of baseball and the story of Jackie Robinson, readers explore themes of cultural identity, adaptation, and friendship. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book gently addresses challenges of immigration and fitting in without intense conflict.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 2 — Mild
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

New Experience Cultural Adjustment
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
9
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

170 pages
ISBN
9780808575993
Pages
170
Publisher
Turtleback Books
Published
October 1999
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Social IssuesNew ExperiencePeople & PlacesUnited StatesAsian AmericanSchoolsChinese AmericansMoving, HouseholdChildren's Stories, AmericanChinese American ChildrenHousehold MovingMovingHouseholdBrooklynN.y.)