Ivy + Bean
Annie Barrows
Ivy + Bean
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
What's the big idea?
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
What happens when two best friends take on a big challenge about a big problem—global warming? Ivy and Bean have to come up with a science fair project that no one will forget. But will their wild idea work, or will it land them in trouble?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Ivy + Bean is a charming middle-grade novel that follows two second graders as they team up for a school science fair focused on global warming. The story highlights friendship, creativity, and problem-solving in an elementary school setting, making it appropriate and engaging for ages 9 to 12. It contains no intense content and offers positive themes about collaboration and environmental awareness.
Why we rated Ivy + Bean 9C
Ivy + Bean is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 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, science & nature, school, and adventure — 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, science & nature, school.
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
2/10A 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
- 9780545390798
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction