Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe
Simon and Schuster 2017
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- crushes and first love
- friendship and loyalty
- jealousy and misunderstandings
- self-confidence and identity
- middle-school life
- humor and diary-style confessions
About this book
Nikki Maxwell is counting down to summer with big plans to hang out with friends—and her crush, Brandon. But when a cute new boy shows interest in Nikki, her feelings get messy fast. Trying not to hurt Brandon while navigating misunderstandings, friendship drama, and major middle-school cringe, Nikki learns that being honest with yourself (and others) is the best way through a crush catastrophe.
Setting: Contemporary suburban middle school life at Westchester Country Day and the surrounding town
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe right for my child?
Yes — Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.4, which is typical for 5th 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 crushes and first love, friendship and loyalty, jealousy and misunderstandings.
How long does it take to read Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe takes around 2.1h to finish. The book has 21,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe have an AR quiz?
Yes — Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe has an AR quiz available, worth 3 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 Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe?
Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe has an AR reading level of 5.4, which places it at a 5th 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.