Celebrating Chinese New Year
by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
Holiday House 1998
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- family traditions
- cultural heritage
- community
- celebration
- identity
- respect for elders
About this book
This photo-essay follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for and celebrate Lunar New Year, from cleaning the house and shopping in Chinatown to sharing a festive meal and watching the dragon parade. Clear text and vivid photographs explain traditions like red envelopes, lucky foods, and lion dances. It’s a welcoming introduction to the holiday and Chinese American culture for elementary readers. Kids enjoy the real-life look at preparations and the excitement of the parade and fireworks.
Setting: San Francisco’s Chinatown, contemporary United States
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Celebrating Chinese New Year right for my child?
Yes — Celebrating Chinese New Year is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, 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 family traditions, cultural heritage, community.
How long does it take to read Celebrating Chinese New Year?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Celebrating Chinese New Year takes around 10m to finish. The book has 1,700 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Celebrating Chinese New Year have an AR quiz?
Yes — Celebrating Chinese New Year 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 Celebrating Chinese New Year?
Celebrating Chinese New Year has an AR reading level of 5.2, 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.