Ivan and the All-Stars
Kathleen Cook Waldron
Ivan and the All-Stars
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kathleen Cook Waldron
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
Ivan struggles at baseball when he first steps up to the plate, but that’s just the start of his story. With every swing, he gets stronger and finds more friends who want to play, proving that practice and teamwork can turn anyone into a star. It’s not just about the game—it’s about how friendship can help you shine.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story follows Ivan as he learns baseball and builds friendships through teamwork and practice. Suitable for ages 5-8, it encourages perseverance and social skills without any challenging content. The book is a gentle introduction to sports and collaboration for young readers.
Why we rated Ivan and the All-Stars 7C
Ivan and the All-Stars 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, Ivan and the All-Stars works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Ivan and the All-Stars 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, Ivan and the All-Stars explores baseball, friendship, children: grades 1-2, and fiction — 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 baseball, friendship, children: grades 1-2.
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
- 9781895681086
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Boardwalk Books Inc
- Published
- September 1995
- Type
- Fiction