Don't make me smile
by Barbara Park
Random House Children's Books 1989
Easy read — content targets 4th–8th grade
Reading level 3.9 (3rd grade) but themes aimed at ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- divorce
- family
- resilience
- friendship
- coping with change
- humor
- empathy
About this book
When his parents separate, a witty fifth-grader finds that jokes don’t always fix a not-so-funny situation. Through school mishaps, sibling squabbles, and awkward new routines, he learns how to handle big feelings and changing family dynamics. Barbara Park blends humor and heart, giving readers a relatable look at life after a breakup. Perfect for middle graders who like realistic stories with laugh-out-loud moments and a lot of empathy.
Setting: contemporary suburban United States; home and elementary school
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Don't make me smile right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Don't make me smile. The reading level is AR 3.9, which is typical for 3rd 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 divorce, family, resilience.
How long does it take to read Don't make me smile?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Don't make me smile takes around 3.5h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Don't make me smile have an AR quiz?
Yes — Don't make me smile 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 Don't make me smile?
Don't make me smile has an AR reading level of 3.9, which places it at a 3rd 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.