Fourth Grade Rats
Scholastic Inc. 2012
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- peer pressure
- identity
- kindness and empathy
- growing up
- bullying
- courage
About this book
Suds is starting fourth grade, where the older kids say you have to be a tough 'rat'—no fear, no tears, and definitely no being nice. Egged on by his best friend Joey, he tries to act tough, but it doesn’t feel right. As school challenges and friendships test him, Suds has to decide what kind of fourth grader he really wants to be. With humor and heart, this quick read speaks to kids figuring out who they are amid peer pressure.
Setting: elementary school and suburban neighborhood, present day
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fourth Grade Rats right for my child?
Yes — Fourth Grade Rats is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.6, which is typical for 2nd 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, peer pressure, identity.
How long does it take to read Fourth Grade Rats?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Fourth Grade Rats takes around 2.2h to finish. The book has 16,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Fourth Grade Rats have an AR quiz?
Yes — Fourth Grade Rats has an AR quiz available, worth 2 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 Fourth Grade Rats?
Fourth Grade Rats has an AR reading level of 2.6, which places it at a 2nd 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.