Cat Running
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers 1994
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- empathy and prejudice
- identity and self-discovery
- perseverance
- friendship
- family and responsibility
- poverty and class
- courage
- community
About this book
Cat Kinsey used to be the fastest runner in her California town, but the arrival of Dust Bowl refugees and a painful incident make her hang up her shoes. When she befriends a struggling family of newcomers, Cat begins to question the prejudice around her and find her own courage again. Set during the Great Depression, this heartfelt story blends a love of running with themes of empathy and fairness. Perfect for upper-elementary and middle-school readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction with a strong, relatable heroine.
Setting: a small town in California during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl migration (1930s)
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cat Running right for my child?
Yes — Cat Running is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.3, which is typical for 5th 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 empathy and prejudice, identity and self-discovery, perseverance.
How long does it take to read Cat Running?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Cat Running takes around 5.0h to finish. The book has 49,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Cat Running have an AR quiz?
Yes — Cat Running has an AR quiz available, worth 7 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 Cat Running?
Cat Running has an AR reading level of 5.3, which places it at a 5th 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.