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It's Simple, Said Simon book cover

It's Simple, Said Simon

by Mary Ann Hoberman

Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media 2001

★★★☆☆

Great fit for 2nd grade

Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9

2nd grade English
40
Pages
0.5
AR Points
7m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Humorous Fiction

Themes

  • humility
  • problem-solving
  • confidence
  • mistakes and learning
  • helping others
  • perseverance
  • rhyme and wordplay
  • humor

About this book

In this playful, rhyming picture book, confident Simon believes every challenge is easy—until real-life requests from creatures and townsfolk put his boasts to the test. Repeating refrains and clever wordplay invite kids to chime in, making it a lively read-aloud. Young readers enjoy the humor, rhythm, and the gentle nudge toward listening and learning. Perfect for PreK–2 readers who like silly scenarios and catchy rhyme.

Setting: a timeless, fairy-tale countryside

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It's Simple, Said Simon right for my child?

Yes — It's Simple, Said Simon is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.9, 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 humility, problem-solving, confidence.

How long does it take to read It's Simple, Said Simon?

At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, It's Simple, Said Simon takes around 7m to finish. The book has 850 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does It's Simple, Said Simon have an AR quiz?

Yes — It's Simple, Said Simon 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 It's Simple, Said Simon?

It's Simple, Said Simon has an AR reading level of 2.9, 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.