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Teamwork trouble

Dan Gutman

Cover of Teamwork trouble

Teamwork trouble

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Dan Gutman

Reading Level 1-2 6C Ages 5-8 Matched

The text is written at a 1st 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

The clatter of stones sliding on ice fills the air, mixed with the scrape of brooms sweeping fast. Ryan, A.J., and Andrea are trying to master curling, a sport where teamwork means everything. But when teammates start to clash, will their fun game turn into a slippery mess of trouble?

Themes

FriendshipTeamworkElementary schoolsSportsHumor

Quick Assessment

This Level Two I Can Read book from Dan Gutman's popular My Weird School series introduces early readers to the sport of curling through a humorous story about friendship and teamwork. Suitable for children ages 5-8, it highlights cooperation and problem-solving in an elementary school setting without any intense content. The book encourages independent reading with simple vocabulary and engaging illustrations.

Why we rated Teamwork trouble 6C

Teamwork trouble is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 30 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Teamwork trouble works for readers up to grade 3.5.

We rate Teamwork trouble as 6C ("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.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Teamwork trouble explores friendship, teamwork, elementary schools, sports, and humor — 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.
  • Kids drawn to stories about friendship, teamwork, elementary schools.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

6C — Clear
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
1
Emotional Weight
2
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

30 pages
ISBN
9780062367501
Pages
30
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
2018
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Elementary SchoolsCurlingInterpersonal RelationsTeamworkSchoolsHumorous Stories