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Colt book cover

Colt

by Nancy Springer

Dial Books for Young Readers 1994

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English
125
Pages
4
AR Points
4.0h
Read time
AR Quiz Available
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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • resilience
  • trust
  • identity
  • family struggles
  • healing
  • friendship
  • self-acceptance

About this book

Colt is a boy who feels as untamed as his name suggests. Struggling with a rocky home life and trouble fitting in, he’s quick to run and slow to trust—until an unexpected connection begins to show him another way forward. As Colt learns to channel his fierce energy and let others in, he discovers strength he didn’t know he had. A heartfelt, realistic story for middle-grade readers who like character-driven books with plenty of emotion and hope.

Setting: contemporary small-town/rural community

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colt right for my child?

Yes — Colt 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 resilience, trust, identity.

How long does it take to read Colt?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Colt takes around 4.0h to finish. The book has 36,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Colt have an AR quiz?

Yes — Colt has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 Colt?

Colt 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.