Brand-new pencils, brand-new books
by Diane De Groat
Scholastic 2005
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- back to school
- friendship
- anxiety and reassurance
- kindness
- classroom community
- responsibility
About this book
It’s the first day of school, and Gilbert is excited—and a little nervous—about brand-new supplies, a new classroom, and meeting classmates again. With gentle humor and warm illustrations, this story captures the jitters and joys of starting a new year. Young readers will recognize their own first-day worries and feel reassured as Gilbert finds his footing. Perfect for early elementary students easing into routines and friendships.
Setting: an elementary school classroom on the first day of a new school year
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brand-new pencils, brand-new books right for my child?
Yes — Brand-new pencils, brand-new books is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.9, 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 back to school, friendship, anxiety and reassurance.
How long does it take to read Brand-new pencils, brand-new books?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Brand-new pencils, brand-new books takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Brand-new pencils, brand-new books have an AR quiz?
Yes — Brand-new pencils, brand-new books 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 Brand-new pencils, brand-new books?
Brand-new pencils, brand-new books has an AR reading level of 2.9, 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.