Jackie, Luther, and I
Rick Desclouds
Jackie, Luther, and I
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rick Desclouds
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 sharp sound of sneakers squeaking on the old gym floor echoes through the air. You can almost smell the fresh leather of a baseball glove and feel the cool breeze of history swirling around you. Danny’s heart pounds as he steps into a world where one decision could change everything — but can he save Jackie Robinson before time runs out?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction novel follows Danny, a student who travels back in time to help Jackie Robinson, the legendary baseball player. It offers an engaging blend of history and adventure suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. The story encourages themes of courage and perseverance without intense content, making it appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Jackie, Luther, and I 9LE
Jackie, Luther, and I is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Jackie, Luther, and I works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Jackie, Luther, and I as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Jackie, Luther, and I explores adventure, historical, and coming of age — 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 adventure, historical, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781894543385
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Buschekbooks
- Published
- October 2006
- Type
- Fiction