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Arthur's Halloween Costume book cover

Arthur's Halloween Costume

by Lillian Hoban

Harper & Row 1984

★★★☆☆

Great fit for 2nd grade

Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9

2nd grade English
64
Pages
0.5
AR Points
9m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • creativity
  • self-expression
  • problem-solving
  • perseverance
  • sibling relationships
  • confidence
  • Halloween
  • imagination

About this book

Arthur the chimpanzee wants the perfect costume for Halloween, but nothing he tries feels quite right. With a little help from his sister Violet and lots of imaginative attempts, he learns that the best costume is one that fits his own style. Short chapters, friendly humor, and familiar holiday moments make this an inviting I Can Read story for new readers. Kids enjoy the gentle laughs, the creative problem-solving, and the cozy Halloween atmosphere.

Setting: a suburban neighborhood on Halloween night

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arthur's Halloween Costume right for my child?

Yes — Arthur's Halloween Costume is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.5, 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 creativity, self-expression, problem-solving.

How long does it take to read Arthur's Halloween Costume?

At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Arthur's Halloween Costume takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Arthur's Halloween Costume have an AR quiz?

Yes — Arthur's Halloween Costume 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 Arthur's Halloween Costume?

Arthur's Halloween Costume has an AR reading level of 2.5, 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.