Happy Birthday, Addy!
by Connie Rose Porter
American Girl 1993
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- family
- freedom
- resilience
- friendship
- hope
- community
- courage
About this book
Set in Civil War–era Philadelphia, Addy is excited to celebrate a springtime birthday in her new life of freedom. As she plans a simple celebration, she balances school, chores, and the realities of a changing world. Readers see Addy’s strength and hope as she leans on family and friends and learns what truly makes a birthday special. Short chapters, historical details, and warm illustrations make this a welcoming read for elementary and middle-grade readers.
Setting: Philadelphia during the Civil War, 1860s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Happy Birthday, Addy! right for my child?
Yes — Happy Birthday, Addy! is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.3, 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 family, freedom, resilience.
How long does it take to read Happy Birthday, Addy!?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Happy Birthday, Addy! takes around 55m to finish. The book has 8,300 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Happy Birthday, Addy! have an AR quiz?
Yes — Happy Birthday, Addy! has an AR quiz available, worth 1 point. 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 Happy Birthday, Addy!?
Happy Birthday, Addy! has an AR reading level of 4.3, 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.