Crush Catastrophe
Simon & Schuster Children's 2017
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- crushes and first love
- loyalty
- honesty and communication
- self-confidence
- choices and consequences
- jealousy
- middle school life
About this book
Nikki Maxwell is counting down to summer when a new student complicates her already dramatic middle school life. Torn between a surprising new crush and her feelings for Brandon, Nikki must navigate friendship, feelings, and big decisions. Told in her signature doodle-filled diary style, this laugh-out-loud installment captures the ups and downs of crushes and confidence. Perfect for tweens who enjoy humorous school stories and illustrated journals.
Setting: modern suburban middle school (Westchester Country Day) and community
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crush Catastrophe right for my child?
Yes — Crush Catastrophe 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, crushes and first love, loyalty.
How long does it take to read Crush Catastrophe?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Crush Catastrophe takes around 3.0h to finish. The book has 27,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Crush Catastrophe have an AR quiz?
Yes — Crush Catastrophe 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 Crush Catastrophe?
Crush Catastrophe 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.