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Duck book cover

Duck

by Randy Cecil

Walker Childrens Paperbacks 2008

★★★★☆

Great fit for 3rd grade

Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9

3rd grade English
40
Pages
0.5
AR Points
8m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Animal Fiction

Themes

  • friendship
  • belonging
  • kindness
  • perseverance
  • finding home
  • community

About this book

A gentle, beautifully illustrated picture book about a small duck and the child who helps it find where it belongs. With spare text and cinematic artwork, Randy Cecil crafts a tender story of friendship and quiet bravery. Perfect for read-alouds, it resonates with younger readers who enjoy heartfelt animal tales and stories about helping others. Ideal for ages 4–8 and anyone who loves a warm, hopeful ending.

Setting: a small town and nearby park

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Duck right for my child?

Yes — Duck is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.1, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include friendship, belonging, kindness.

How long does it take to read Duck?

At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Duck takes around 8m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Duck have an AR quiz?

Yes — Duck has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 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 Duck?

Duck has an AR reading level of 3.1, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — 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.