Hair for Mama
by Kelly Tinkham
Dial Books for Young Readers 2007
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- family love
- illness and healing
- empathy
- resilience
- generosity
- hope
- community support
- coping with change
About this book
Marcus wants his mom to feel like herself again while she goes through cancer treatment and loses her hair. For Mother’s Day and a planned family photo, he searches for a way to help, visiting familiar places in the neighborhood and thinking up big-hearted ideas. Warm illustrations and gentle text show a loving family facing illness with honesty and hope. It’s a tender story that reassures young readers and opens conversations about caring, courage, and what truly makes someone beautiful.
Setting: contemporary urban neighborhood and family home
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hair for Mama right for my child?
Yes — Hair for Mama is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.8, 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 family love, illness and healing, empathy.
How long does it take to read Hair for Mama?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Hair for Mama takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Hair for Mama have an AR quiz?
Yes — Hair for Mama 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 Hair for Mama?
Hair for Mama has an AR reading level of 2.8, 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.