Farmer Boy
HarperCollins 1994
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
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Genre
Themes
- family
- hard work and responsibility
- self-reliance
- perseverance
- rural life and nature
- tradition and community
- growing up
About this book
This classic in the Little House series follows young Almanzo Wilder as he grows up on his family’s bustling farm in upstate New York. Through planting, harvesting, barn chores, and winter ice-cutting, readers experience the rhythms of 19th-century farm life. Warm family moments, local fairs, and visits from a jovial peddler balance the hard work with joy and adventure. Perfect for readers who enjoy historical stories, detailed daily life, and the satisfaction of learning how things were made and done.
Setting: rural upstate New York (near Malone), late 1860s
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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.