Including Alice
Simon and Schuster 2004
Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up
Reading level 5.3 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- family changes
- blended families
- friendship
- identity
- growing up
- first love
- independence
- school life
About this book
Fifteen-year-old Alice is juggling big changes: her dad is getting married and her brother is moving out, leaving her to rethink what home and family look like. With her trademark humor and honesty, Alice navigates friendships, crushes, and shifting routines while trying to stay true to herself. Readers who enjoy realistic, slice-of-life stories will connect with Alice’s relatable questions about growing up. A great pick for middle school and early high school readers who like heartfelt, funny takes on everyday life.
Setting: suburban Maryland, early 2000s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Including Alice right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Including Alice. The reading level is AR 5.3, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include family changes, blended families, friendship.
How long does it take to read Including Alice?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Including Alice takes around 7.4h to finish. The book has 73,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Including Alice have an AR quiz?
Yes — Including Alice has an AR quiz available, worth 10 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 Including Alice?
Including Alice has an AR reading level of 5.3, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.