Bumps in the night
by Harry Allard, James Marshall
Doubleday 1984
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- facing fears
- imagination
- family support
- friendship
- bravery
- problem-solving
- nighttime worries
- humor
About this book
Dudley keeps hearing strange noises after dark and is sure something spooky is in the house. With help from his mom and some imaginative friends, he decides to face the mystery instead of hiding from it. This gently spooky, very funny picture book uses humor to take the scare out of nighttime sounds. Great for early elementary readers who like a little shiver with lots of laughs.
Setting: a family home at night, mostly in a child’s bedroom and living room
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bumps in the night right for my child?
Yes — Bumps in the night is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.7, 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 facing fears, imagination, family support.
How long does it take to read Bumps in the night?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Bumps in the night takes around 7m to finish. The book has 850 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Bumps in the night have an AR quiz?
Yes — Bumps in the night 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 Bumps in the night?
Bumps in the night has an AR reading level of 2.7, 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.