Pedro's big goal
Fran Manushkin
Pedro's big goal
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Fran Manushkin
Illustrated by Lyon, Tammie, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever dreamed of guarding the goal all by yourself? Pedro wants to be the goalie in the big game, but there's a bigger kid trying out too. Can Pedro prove he's the best and make the team?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Pedro's Big Goal is an early reader book about a young boy who wants to be the soccer team's goalie despite competition from a bigger kid. The story highlights themes of teamwork, perseverance, and friendship, making it suitable for children ages 5-8. It offers positive cultural representation and encourages practice and support among peers.
Why we rated Pedro's big goal 7LE
Pedro's big goal is written at a Level 2 reading level across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pedro's big goal works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Pedro's big goal as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Pedro's big goal explores hispanic americans, teamwork, sports, soccer, and friendship — 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 hispanic americans, teamwork, sports.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 9781515800866
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction