Heart of a champion
by Carl Deuker
Joy Street Books 1993
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 4.7 (4th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- ambition
- grief
- family pressure
- choices and consequences
- sportsmanship
- identity
- perseverance
About this book
A quiet, hard‑working kid teams up with a naturally gifted friend, and together they chase baseball dreams from sandlots to high school fields. As the seasons go by, pressure, family struggles, and tough choices off the field test their bond and their love of the game. With vivid play‑by‑play action and relatable characters, this sports story appeals to teens who like realistic fiction and baseball. It’s a strong pick for readers who enjoy friendship stories and moral dilemmas without easy answers.
Setting: suburban Pacific Northwest and high school baseball fields, 1990s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heart of a champion right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Heart of a champion. The reading level is AR 4.7, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include friendship, ambition, grief.
How long does it take to read Heart of a champion?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Heart of a champion takes around 7.0h to finish. The book has 63,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Heart of a champion have an AR quiz?
Yes — Heart of a champion has an AR quiz available, worth 7 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Heart of a champion?
Heart of a champion has an AR reading level of 4.7, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.