Earth to Matthew
Yearling Books 1991
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- humor
- family
- friendship
- school life
- growing up
- self-discovery
- crushes and relationships
- imagination vs. reality
About this book
Matthew Martin has a big imagination—and it tends to blast off right when real life gets complicated. Between school pressures, shifting friendships, and confusing feelings about girls, he’s trying to figure out how to stay grounded. With plenty of humor and heart, Paula Danziger shows how daydreams can help a kid make sense of everyday drama. A great pick for middle-grade readers who like funny, true-to-life stories about school and family.
Setting: contemporary suburban United States, early 1990s; middle school and home
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earth to Matthew right for my child?
Yes — Earth to Matthew is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.4, 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 humor, family, friendship.
How long does it take to read Earth to Matthew?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Earth to Matthew takes around 3.3h to finish. The book has 30,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Earth to Matthew have an AR quiz?
Yes — Earth to Matthew 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 Earth to Matthew?
Earth to Matthew has an AR reading level of 4.4, 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.