A Friend Like That
by Alfred Slote
HarperCollins Publishers 1990
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- family changes
- grief and healing
- loyalty
- jealousy
- empathy
- coming of age
- trust
About this book
When Beth’s best friend Robby struggles with his widowed father’s new girlfriend, she steps in to help him face the changes no one asked for. The story explores how friendships bend and strengthen as families shift and grow. With believable middle-school voices and everyday drama, it’s a gentle, relatable read for kids navigating loyalty, grief, and new beginnings. Readers will appreciate the heart, humor, and hope as Beth learns what it really means to be a good friend.
Setting: contemporary small-town/suburban Midwest
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Friend Like That right for my child?
Yes — A Friend Like That 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 friendship, family changes, grief and healing.
How long does it take to read A Friend Like That?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, A Friend Like That takes around 4.1h to finish. The book has 37,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does A Friend Like That have an AR quiz?
Yes — A Friend Like That 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 A Friend Like That?
A Friend Like That 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.