City of the Rats
by Emily Rodda
Sagebrush 2000
Deltora Quest octology
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- courage
- friendship
- teamwork
- perseverance
- good vs. evil
- problem-solving
- loyalty
- quest
About this book
In the third Deltora Quest adventure, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine journey to the dreaded City of the Rats in search of the next gem for the Belt of Deltora. Their path is filled with riddles, traps, and creepy creatures as they venture into a maze-like stronghold where danger lurks in every shadow. Fast-paced chapters, cliffhangers, and clever problem-solving keep readers turning pages. Perfect for fans of fantasy quests and team-based adventures.
Setting: the fantasy land of Deltora, primarily a perilous, maze-like city overrun by rats
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of the Rats right for my child?
Yes — City of the Rats 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 courage, friendship, teamwork.
How long does it take to read City of the Rats?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, City of the Rats takes around 2.6h to finish. The book has 26,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does City of the Rats have an AR quiz?
Yes — City of the Rats has an AR quiz available, worth 3 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 City of the Rats?
City of the Rats 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.