Children Make Terrible Pets
by Peter Brown
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2013
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- responsibility
- empathy
- role reversal
- boundaries
- family
- independence
- pet ownership
- friendship
About this book
When Lucy, a young bear, discovers a little boy in the forest, she’s thrilled to keep him as her very own pet. She names him Squeaker and tries to teach him all the things a good pet should know. With playful role reversal, expressive artwork, and speech bubbles, the story gently explores what living things need and what real responsibility looks like. Perfect for preschool through early elementary readers who love humor, animals, and big, bold illustrations.
Setting: a bear family’s home and the surrounding forest, present day
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Children Make Terrible Pets right for my child?
Yes — Children Make Terrible Pets is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.2, 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 responsibility, empathy, role reversal.
How long does it take to read Children Make Terrible Pets?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Children Make Terrible Pets takes around 5m to finish. The book has 620 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Children Make Terrible Pets have an AR quiz?
Yes — Children Make Terrible Pets 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 Children Make Terrible Pets?
Children Make Terrible Pets has an AR reading level of 2.2, 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.