Fred Stays With Me!
by Nancy Coffelt
Turtleback Books 2011
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- divorce and separation
- family
- loyalty
- coping with change
- belonging
- resilience
- pets
- love
About this book
A young girl splits her time between Mom’s house and Dad’s house, but her loyal dog Fred stays with her no matter where she goes. With warm, expressive illustrations, this gentle story shows how one constant friend can make big changes feel safer. It’s a reassuring read for children experiencing separation or divorce, emphasizing love, routine, and belonging. Kids enjoy the simple, heartfelt text and the playful bond between a child and her dog.
Setting: contemporary homes in two households
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fred Stays With Me! right for my child?
Yes — Fred Stays With Me! is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.1, 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 divorce and separation, family, loyalty.
How long does it take to read Fred Stays With Me!?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Fred Stays With Me! takes around 4m to finish. The book has 500 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Fred Stays With Me! have an AR quiz?
Yes — Fred Stays With Me! has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 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 Fred Stays With Me!?
Fred Stays With Me! has an AR reading level of 2.1, 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.