Crazy lady!
HarperTrophy 1993
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Themes include alcoholism and addiction
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- responsibility
- disability and inclusion
- poverty
- family
- community support
- grief and healing
- alcoholism and addiction
About this book
Vernon is a struggling middle-schooler in a tough city neighborhood, missing his mom and trying to find his place. When he gets to know Maxine, an outspoken neighbor with alcoholism, and her son Ronald, who has an intellectual disability, he’s pulled into a friendship that changes all three of them. With humor and heart, the story explores responsibility, empathy, and what it means to show up for others. A powerful, realistic read for middle-grade readers who like character-driven stories.
Setting: inner-city Baltimore, early 1990s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crazy lady! right for my child?
Yes — Crazy lady! is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.9, 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 friendship, responsibility, disability and inclusion.
How long does it take to read Crazy lady!?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Crazy lady! takes around 5.3h to finish. The book has 48,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Crazy lady! have an AR quiz?
Yes — Crazy lady! has an AR quiz available, worth 6 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 Crazy lady!?
Crazy lady! has an AR reading level of 4.9, 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.