Hitty
Her First Hundred Years
by Rachel Field
Perfection Learning 1998
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- adventure
- identity
- resilience
- friendship
- belonging
- travel and exploration
- history and change
About this book
Told from the perspective of a hand-carved wooden doll, Hitty recounts a century of adventures as she passes from one owner to another. From a quiet New England beginning to voyages at sea and far-flung lands, she witnesses history and everyday life through many families. The rich, old-fashioned language and episodic adventures make it a rewarding read for strong middle-grade readers. Kids enjoy the clever narration, sense of time-travel, and the way small objects can have big stories.
Setting: 19th- to early 20th-century America and abroad (New England, a whaling ship, and various international stops)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hitty right for my child?
Yes — Hitty is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.6, which is typical for 6th 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 adventure, identity, resilience.
How long does it take to read Hitty?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Hitty takes around 7.2h to finish. The book has 76,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Hitty have an AR quiz?
Yes — Hitty has an AR quiz available, worth 11 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 Hitty?
Hitty has an AR reading level of 6.6, which places it at a 6th 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.