Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Ninjas and knock outs!
Laurent Richard
Ninjas and knock outs!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Book 2
by Laurent Richard
Illustrated by Ryser, Nicolas, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd 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
Tao is eager to become a martial arts expert, but his daydreaming and mischievous antics often land him in hot water. When he starts having secret crush feelings for his friend Kat, his pranks get even wilder. Can Tao win Kat's attention without getting into trouble with his teachers?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 2-3 book with gentle content intensity. Content themes include behavior. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Ninjas and knock outs! 7C
Ninjas and knock outs! is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 61 pages (approximately 2,755 words). Strong independent readers around grade 3.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ninjas and knock outs! works for readers up to grade 4.8.
Read aloud, Ninjas and knock outs! takes about 18 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Ninjas and knock outs! as 7C ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Behavior.
Thematically, Ninjas and knock outs! explores friendship, coming of age, schools, humor, and martial arts — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, schools.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 3 more books in the Tao, the Little Samurai series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
9/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Tao, the Little Samurai Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781467732727
- Pages
- 61
- Publisher
- Graphic Universe ?
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 2,755
- Read-Aloud
- ~18 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy