The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind (Tales from the Sandlot , No 4)
Dan Gutman
The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind (Tales from the Sandlot , No 4)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dan Gutman
Illustrated by Robert Papp
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Rob, the pitcher for the Sedona Red Rocks, can float above the mound without leaving the game. It’s all thanks to a mysterious energy swirling in Sedona, Arizona—but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader fiction blends baseball with a touch of supernatural mystery, set in Sedona, Arizona. Suitable for ages 5-8, it features light paranormal elements tied to a sports story, making it a fun introduction to imaginative tales with mild suspense.
Why we rated The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind (Tales from the Sandlot , No 4) 8LT
The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind (Tales from the Sandlot , No 4) is written at a Level 3 reading level across 96 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind (Tales from the Sandlot , No 4) works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind (Tales from the Sandlot , No 4) as 8LT ("Light — Thematic") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The Pitcher Who Went Out of His Mind (Tales from the Sandlot , No 4) explores sports & recreation, horror & ghost stories, and juvenile 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, horror & ghost stories, juvenile fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LT — Light — ThematicLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780590137638
- Pages
- 96
- Publisher
- Apple
- Published
- July 1997
- Type
- Fiction