I hate my best friend
by Ruth Rosner
Hyperion Books for Children 1997
Easy read — content targets 4th–8th grade
Reading level 3.9 (3rd grade) but themes aimed at ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- jealousy
- communication
- forgiveness
- empathy
- conflict resolution
- school life
About this book
When a misunderstanding turns into a full-on feud, a girl finds herself saying she hates the one person she thought she could always count on—her best friend. Through school-day drama, hurt feelings, and awkward apologies, she starts to figure out what real friendship looks like. Short chapters, familiar situations, and honest emotions make this an accessible read for elementary readers. Kids enjoy the humor, the relatable voice, and the satisfying look at making up after messing up.
Setting: contemporary suburban elementary school
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is I hate my best friend right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for I hate my best friend. The reading level is AR 3.9, which is typical for 3rd 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, jealousy, communication.
How long does it take to read I hate my best friend?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, I hate my best friend takes around 1.2h to finish. The book has 10,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does I hate my best friend have an AR quiz?
Yes — I hate my best friend 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 I hate my best friend?
I hate my best friend has an AR reading level of 3.9, which places it at a 3rd 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.