How Angel Peterson Got His Name
by Gary Paulsen, Patrick Lawlor
Wendy Lamb Books 2010
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- risk-taking
- humor
- coming of age
- courage
- consequences
- nostalgia
- small-town life
About this book
Gary Paulsen recounts hilarious, mostly-true adventures from his 1950s boyhood—think homemade rockets, stunt bikes, and a friend nicknamed Angel who’s always game to try the wildest ideas. Each short chapter reads like a tall tale grounded in real small-town life, with plenty of near-disasters and laughs. It’s perfect for middle graders who like fast, funny nonfiction and stories about friends pushing the limits. Kids enjoy the quick pace, outrageous stunts, and the relatable voice of a narrator who remembers exactly what it felt like to be twelve and fearless.
Setting: small-town Minnesota, 1950s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is How Angel Peterson Got His Name right for my child?
Yes — How Angel Peterson Got His Name is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.3, 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 friendship, risk-taking, humor.
How long does it take to read How Angel Peterson Got His Name?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, How Angel Peterson Got His Name takes around 1.6h to finish. The book has 17,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does How Angel Peterson Got His Name have an AR quiz?
Yes — How Angel Peterson Got His Name has an AR quiz available, worth 3 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 How Angel Peterson Got His Name?
How Angel Peterson Got His Name has an AR reading level of 6.3, 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.