Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean)
by Lauren Child
Candlewick 2008
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- anxiety and worry
- friendship
- family life
- resilience
- self-confidence
- imagination
- school life
- problem-solving
About this book
Clarice Bean has a lot on her mind—school projects, family chaos, and all the what-ifs that keep a kid awake at night. With her sharp humor and daydreams about her hero Ruby Redfort, Clarice finds creative ways to face her worries. Told in a lively voice with playful typography and illustrations, this story speaks to kids who overthink and those who just love a good laugh. A great pick for readers ready to move up from early chapter books to longer, funny realistic fiction.
Setting: contemporary London, primarily at school and home
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean) right for my child?
Yes — Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean) is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.6, which is typical for 4th 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 anxiety and worry, friendship, family life.
How long does it take to read Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean)?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean) takes around 3.5h to finish. The book has 32,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean) have an AR quiz?
Yes — Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean) has an AR quiz available, worth 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 Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean)?
Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now (Clarice Bean) has an AR reading level of 4.6, which places it at a 4th 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.