Farmer Boy
Harper Collins 2004
Book 2 of Little House on the Prairie
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Book 2 in a series — earlier books first
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- family
- hard work and responsibility
- self-reliance
- perseverance
- rural life
- growing up
- tradition
- ambition
About this book
This classic Little House book follows young Almanzo Wilder as he grows up on his family’s farm in 1860s New York. Through the seasons, he learns the value of hard work, responsibility, and ingenuity—plowing fields, tending animals, and saving for his first team of horses. Episodic adventures at home, in town, and at the county fair bring everyday pioneer life to vivid, mouthwatering detail. Perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy historical stories, farming life, and richly described daily adventures.
Setting: rural upstate New York farm, 1860s
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Farmer Boy right for my child?
Yes — Farmer Boy is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, 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 family, hard work and responsibility, self-reliance. Note: this is book 2 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read Farmer Boy?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Farmer Boy takes around 5.9h to finish. The book has 58,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Farmer Boy have an AR quiz?
Yes — Farmer Boy has an AR quiz available, worth 9 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 Farmer Boy?
Farmer Boy has an AR reading level of 5.2, 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.