The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter
Matt Christopher
The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Matt Christopher
Illustrated by Daniel Vasconcellos
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
What if your dog could help you win the big baseball game? Imagine Harry, who can read minds and gives secret tips about the other players. But can Mike and Harry work together to fix his pitching and save the game?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader book combines a love of baseball with a heartwarming story about friendship and teamwork. Suitable for ages 5-8, it features simple language and colorful illustrations that support young readers. Parents should know the story focuses on sportsmanship and problem-solving without any intense themes.
Why we rated The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter 7C
The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter is written at a Level 2 reading level across 42 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter as 7C ("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 Dog That Pitched a No-Hitter explores sports & recreation, friendship, teamwork, and early reader fiction — 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 sports & recreation, friendship, teamwork.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780316141031
- Pages
- 42
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- April 1, 1993
- Type
- Fiction