Frankie & Bug
by Gayle Forman
Simon and Schuster 2022
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- identity and self-discovery
- family
- allyship and acceptance
- justice and fairness
- community
- courage
- belonging
About this book
It’s the summer of 1987 in Venice, California, and ten-year-old Bug teams up with Frankie, a new friend with big questions about identity, to explore their neighborhood and themselves. As the pair navigates beach days, family changes, and headlines that don’t always feel fair, they learn what it means to stand up for others and be true to who you are. Warm, funny, and heartfelt, this story invites middle-grade readers into a vivid slice of 1980s LA life. Kids enjoy the friendship at its core, the gentle mystery threads, and its inspiring message of empathy and belonging.
Setting: Venice, California, summer 1987
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frankie & Bug right for my child?
Yes — Frankie & Bug is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.7, 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 friendship, identity and self-discovery, family.
How long does it take to read Frankie & Bug?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Frankie & Bug takes around 8.7h to finish. The book has 78,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Frankie & Bug have an AR quiz?
Yes — Frankie & Bug has an AR quiz available, worth 8 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 Frankie & Bug?
Frankie & Bug has an AR reading level of 4.7, 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.