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. Its HootRating code, LS, means mild content, mostly social.
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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) LS (Mild)
Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America) is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 2238 pages (approximately 21,757 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 8 and up can manage Jackie Robinson (Heroes of America) on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
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 LS (Mild, mostly 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 looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LS · Mild · SocialReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light 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
Clara Barton and the American Red Cross (Heroes of America)
Eve Marko
Clara Barton and the American Red Cross (Heroes of America)
Eve Marko
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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