Hello, New House
by Jane Smith
Albert Whitman & Company 2020
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- moving to a new home
- family love
- adjusting to change
- resilience
- belonging
- community and neighbors
- comfort and reassurance
About this book
When a girl’s family moves across the country, everything feels different—new neighbors, new weather, and strange nighttime sounds. As she settles in, she discovers some things are comfortingly the same: the ocean nearby and, most importantly, her family together. This gentle picture book reassures young readers that change can be scary but also full of new possibilities. A warm, relatable read for children adjusting to a move or any big life change.
Setting: a contemporary coastal U.S. neighborhood and a family's new house
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hello, New House right for my child?
Yes — Hello, New House is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.6, 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 moving to a new home, family love, adjusting to change.
How long does it take to read Hello, New House?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Hello, New House takes around 5m to finish. The book has 600 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Hello, New House have an AR quiz?
Yes — Hello, New House 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 Hello, New House?
Hello, New House has an AR reading level of 2.6, 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.