Ivy + Bean
Annie Barrows
Ivy + Bean
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Annie Barrows
Illustrated by Blackall, Sophie, illustrator
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
The crunch of autumn leaves underfoot fills the air as Bean plots her next mischievous prank. Just as she thinks she's all alone, Ivy's quiet footsteps join hers, surprising Bean with a spark of friendship. Together, they discover that being different can make adventures even more unforgettable.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Ivy + Bean is a charming middle-grade fiction book about two young girls who form an unlikely friendship through shared adventures and mischief. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story gently explores themes of friendship, individuality, and neighborly connections without any intense content. Parents can expect a lighthearted, relatable narrative that encourages social growth and creativity.
Why we rated Ivy + Bean 9C
Ivy + Bean is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 113 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ivy + Bean works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Ivy + Bean 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, Ivy + Bean explores friendship, neighbors, and juvenile fiction — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, neighbors, juvenile fiction.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
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
- 9780545002066
- Pages
- 113
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction