An Old-Fashioned Girl
Puffin 1991
Great fit for 8th grade
Reading level and content both target 6th grade and up · ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- Wealth vs. happiness
- Friendship across class lines
- Coming of age
- Work, thrift, and independence
- Family and domestic life
- Morality and character
- Gender roles and expectations
- Simplicity vs. materialism
- Social class and status
- Romance grounded in values
About this book
Country-bred Polly Milton visits her wealthy friend Fanny Shaw in Boston, where her modest manners and practical values clash with fashionable society. Years later, Polly returns as an independent music teacher whose steadfast character helps the Shaw family rethink what truly matters, revealing that happiness rests not in riches but in integrity, work, and genuine affection.
Setting: Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century (post–Civil War era), among upper-middle-class urban society with contrasts to simpler country life
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is An Old-Fashioned Girl right for my child?
Yes — An Old-Fashioned Girl is a great fit for 8th grade. The reading level is AR 8, which is typical for 8th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include Wealth vs. happiness, Friendship across class lines, Coming of age.
How long does it take to read An Old-Fashioned Girl?
At a typical 8th grade reading pace, An Old-Fashioned Girl takes around 9.6h to finish. The book has 100,597 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does An Old-Fashioned Girl have an AR quiz?
Yes — An Old-Fashioned Girl has an AR quiz available, worth 15 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 An Old-Fashioned Girl?
An Old-Fashioned Girl has an AR reading level of 8, which places it at a 8th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.