At the sound of the beep
Dutton Children's Books 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 dynamics
- communication and miscommunication
- growing up
- responsibility
- identity
- divorce and separation
- school life
About this book
A middle-school girl navigates a year of changing friendships, family mix-ups, and first crushes as the messages left on her family’s answering machine keep complicating life. Each beep brings news—sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating—that challenges her to speak up and sort out what’s really going on. Marilyn Sachs blends humor and honesty in a realistic portrait of growing up and communicating clearly. A great pick for grades 5–8 who enjoy true-to-life school and family stories.
Setting: a contemporary American city, early 1990s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is At the sound of the beep right for my child?
Yes — At the sound of the beep is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.9, 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 dynamics, communication and miscommunication.
How long does it take to read At the sound of the beep?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, At the sound of the beep takes around 4.5h to finish. The book has 40,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does At the sound of the beep have an AR quiz?
Yes — At the sound of the beep has an AR quiz available, worth 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 At the sound of the beep?
At the sound of the beep has an AR reading level of 4.9, 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.