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Bony-legs book cover

Bony-legs

by Joanna Cole, Dirk Zimmer

Tandem Library 1985

★★★★★

Great fit for 2nd grade

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

2nd grade English
47
Pages
0.5
AR Points
7m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Folktale

Themes

  • bravery
  • kindness
  • cleverness
  • magic
  • good vs. evil
  • trickery
  • helping others

About this book

This classic retelling of a Russian folktale follows a brave girl who crosses paths with Bony-legs, a fearsome witch who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs. To stay safe, she must rely on quick thinking and a kind heart. Spooky-but-fun illustrations add just the right amount of shiver for young readers. Perfect for grades K–3 and for read-alouds that spark conversations about courage and kindness.

Setting: a deep Russian forest and a witch’s hut on chicken legs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bony-legs right for my child?

Yes — Bony-legs is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.8, 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 bravery, kindness, cleverness.

How long does it take to read Bony-legs?

At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Bony-legs takes around 7m to finish. The book has 800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Bony-legs have an AR quiz?

Yes — Bony-legs 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 Bony-legs?

Bony-legs has an AR reading level of 2.8, 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.