Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The dodgeball chronicles
Frank Cammuso
The dodgeball chronicles
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Frank Cammuso
Knights of the Lunch Table
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
When Arnie discovers a secret locker at Camelot Middle School, he finds himself thrown into an exciting dodgeball match against the school bullies. With quick moves and clever thinking, Arnie faces the challenge head-on in this fun and lively adventure. Perfect for young readers who love sports and comic-style stories!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 2-3 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include bullying, mild peril. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated The dodgeball chronicles 7LE
The dodgeball chronicles is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 141 pages (approximately 7,208 words). Strong independent readers around grade 3.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dodgeball chronicles works for readers up to grade 4.2.
Read aloud, The dodgeball chronicles takes about 48 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate The dodgeball chronicles as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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: Bullying, Mild Peril.
Thematically, The dodgeball chronicles explores friendship, adventure, games, humor, and middle school — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, games.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
8/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780439903226
- Pages
- 141
- Publisher
- Graphix
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 7,208
- Read-Aloud
- ~48 min
- Text Density
- Light Text