What reading level is Jackie Robinson?

Jackie Robinson by Charles E. Pederson is at a Level 6-7 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Jackie Robinson appropriate for?

Jackie Robinson is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11LS (Light — Social). Content flags: Racial Discrimination.

What genre is Jackie Robinson?

Jackie Robinson is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Essential Lives; Essential Library series.

Does Jackie Robinson have any content warnings?

Jackie Robinson has a HootRating of 11LS (Light — Social). Content flags include: Racial Discrimination. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Jackie Robinson?

Jackie Robinson by Charles E. Pederson is 114 pages (approximately 14,229 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Jackie Robinson

Charles E. Pederson

Jackie Robinson

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Charles E. Pederson

Essential Lives; Essential Library

Reading Level 6-7 11LS Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 6th 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

Discover the inspiring journey of Jackie Robinson, the trailblazing athlete who shattered racial barriers to become the first African American to play major league baseball. Experience his courage and determination as he changes the game and challenges society’s limits. This powerful story celebrates resilience and the fight for equality on and off the field.

Themes

BiographyAfrican American HistorySports Social Justice Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6-7 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include racial discrimination. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Jackie Robinson 11LS

Jackie Robinson is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 114 pages (approximately 14,229 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Jackie Robinson works for readers up to grade 8.6.

Read aloud, Jackie Robinson runs about 1.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Jackie Robinson as 11LS ("Light — Social") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Racial Discrimination.

Thematically, Jackie Robinson explores biography, african american history, sports, social justice, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about biography, african american history, sports.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the Essential Lives; Essential Library series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

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.