Heart to heart
by Laura Dower
Hyperion 2003
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- first crushes
- communication and misunderstandings
- self-discovery
- jealousy
- school life
- family support
About this book
In this Madison Finn adventure, Madison navigates Valentine’s Day buzz, mixed messages, and the confusion of first crushes in Far Hills. With her laptop diary and two best friends, she tries to make sense of friendships that feel a little different lately. Light drama, e-mails, and school-life moments keep the story real and relatable for tweens. Fans enjoy Madison’s honest voice and the gentle humor around growing up and figuring out feelings.
Setting: contemporary Far Hills, New York, middle school and neighborhood
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heart to heart right for my child?
Yes — Heart to heart is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.6, 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, first crushes, communication and misunderstandings.
How long does it take to read Heart to heart?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Heart to heart takes around 4.1h to finish. The book has 37,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Heart to heart have an AR quiz?
Yes — Heart to heart has an AR quiz available, worth 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 Heart to heart?
Heart to heart has an AR reading level of 4.6, 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.