What reading level is The ball hogs?

The ball hogs by Rich Wallace is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 540L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is The ball hogs appropriate for?

The ball hogs is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8C (Clear).

What genre is The ball hogs?

The ball hogs is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The ball hogs have any content warnings?

The ball hogs has a HootRating of 8C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The ball hogs?

The ball hogs by Rich Wallace is 119 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The ball hogs

Rich Wallace

The ball hogs

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Rich Wallace

Reading Level 3 8C Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

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 gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Ben races down the soccer field, heart pounding as Mark snatches the ball again. The crowd is watching, and Ben knows this is his moment to shine—but will Mark let him have the chance? Suddenly, something unexpected happens that could change the game forever.

Themes

SportsmanshipSoccerFictionBehaviorTeamwork

Quick Assessment

This early reader fiction follows nine-year-old Ben as he navigates challenges on his co-ed soccer team, focusing on themes of sportsmanship and teamwork. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story addresses common behavior issues like sharing and cooperation in a gentle, relatable way without intense conflict or mature content.

Why we rated The ball hogs 8C

The ball hogs is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 540L across 119 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The ball hogs works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate The ball hogs as 8C ("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, The ball hogs explores sportsmanship, soccer, fiction, behavior, and teamwork — 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 sportsmanship, soccer, fiction.