In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Scholastic Inc. 1984
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- immigration
- identity
- friendship
- courage
- cultural assimilation
- family
- perseverance
About this book
After moving from China to Brooklyn in 1947, Shirley Temple Wong navigates a new language, new classmates, and a new culture. Baseball—and Jackie Robinson’s historic rookie season—becomes her bridge to belonging as she discovers courage and confidence in her adopted home. Warm, humorous vignettes capture the ups and downs of immigration and growing up. Perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy heartfelt, historical stories with sports sprinkled in.
Setting: Brooklyn, New York, 1947; from China to the United States
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson right for my child?
Yes — In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.6, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include immigration, identity, friendship.
How long does it take to read In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson takes around 3.0h to finish. The book has 27,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson have an AR quiz?
Yes — In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson?
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson has an AR reading level of 4.6, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — 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.