Orion the Skateboard Kid
Juanita S. Raymond
Orion the Skateboard Kid
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Juanita S. Raymond
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered if they could guide your next adventure? Orion and her friends face a big challenge after a scary close call on their skateboards. What will they do to find a safe place to ride—and will their dream park become real?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story blends themes of friendship, community, and perseverance as Orion and her friends work to create a safe skateboarding and biking park in their town. Suitable for ages 5-8, it introduces children to teamwork and civic engagement while incorporating elements of mythology and nature. The book contains mild conflict related to safety and community challenges but remains appropriate for young readers.
Why we rated Orion the Skateboard Kid 8LP
Orion the Skateboard Kid is written at a Level 3 reading level across 76 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Orion the Skateboard Kid works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Orion the Skateboard Kid as 8LP ("Light — Physical") 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: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Orion the Skateboard Kid explores friendship, community, adventure, and science & nature — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, community, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780967258508
- Pages
- 76
- Publisher
- CyPress Publications
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction
- Era
- Contemporary (2001)