Nate the Great and the Stolen Base
by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Delacorte Press 2013
Nate the Great
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- problem-solving
- friendship
- sportsmanship
- responsibility
- observation and deduction
- community
- perseverance
About this book
When Rosamund’s team uses Oliver’s squishy purple octopus as second base, it suddenly goes missing—and Nate the Great is on the case. With his trusty dog Sludge, Nate looks for clues at the ballfield and around the neighborhood, using careful observation and logic to piece together what happened. Short chapters, gentle humor, and plenty of pictures make this a confidence-building read for new chapter-book readers. Perfect for kids who like sports and solving everyday mysteries without any scares.
Setting: a suburban neighborhood and local baseball field, present day
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nate the Great and the Stolen Base right for my child?
Yes — Nate the Great and the Stolen Base is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.3, which is typical for 2nd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include problem-solving, friendship, sportsmanship.
How long does it take to read Nate the Great and the Stolen Base?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Nate the Great and the Stolen Base takes around 13m to finish. The book has 1,600 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Nate the Great and the Stolen Base have an AR quiz?
Yes — Nate the Great and the Stolen Base has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 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 Nate the Great and the Stolen Base?
Nate the Great and the Stolen Base has an AR reading level of 2.3, which places it at a 2nd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — 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.