Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America)
Joshua E. Hanft
Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Joshua E. Hanft
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 how Jackie Robinson broke barriers and became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, changing the game and history forever. Follow his journey of courage, determination, and the challenges he faced on and off the field. This inspiring story celebrates a true American hero who paved the way for equality in sports.
Themes
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 (Heroes of America) 11LS
Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America) is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 2238 pages (approximately 21,757 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America) works for readers up to grade 8.6.
Read aloud, Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America) runs about 2.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America) 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 (Heroes of America) explores biography & autobiography - historical, sports, social justice, 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.
- ✓ 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 & autobiography - historical, sports, social justice.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Heroes of America 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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LS — Light — SocialLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
8/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Heroes of America Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1596792590
- Pages
- 2,238
- Published
- January 2005
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 21,757
- Read-Aloud
- ~2h 25m
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy