Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime
C. Ogbu Sabir
Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The King of Ragtime
by C. Ogbu Sabir
African American Library; Journey to Freedom
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
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About This Book
Discover the incredible story of Scott Joplin, a talented pianist and composer who created more than 500 musical pieces, including unique ballets and operas. Journey through his life as he became known as the King of Ragtime and left a lasting mark on American music history.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime C (Gentle)
Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 40 pages (approximately 5,198 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime takes about 35 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime as C (Gentle) 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, Scott Joplin the King of Ragtime explores biography & autobiography, cultural heritage, music, and history — 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 biography & autobiography, cultural heritage, music.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the African American Library; Journey to Freedom 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
C · GentleReading 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
No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High 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 African American Library; Journey to Freedom Series
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Judith E. Harper
African Americans and the Revolutionary War
Judith E. Harper
Ralph Bunche
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Ralph Bunche
Joseph D. McNair
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1567667465
- Pages
- 40
- Publisher
- Child's World
- Published
- July 2000
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 5,198
- Read-Aloud
- ~35 min
- Text Density
- Light Text