Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose
by Mary Quattlebaum
Random House Children's Books 2009
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- friendship
- community
- responsibility
- problem-solving
- nature and gardening
- perseverance
- mystery and clues
About this book
Jackson Jones returns to his neighborhood community garden, where a legendary 'outlaw rose' is said to bring bad luck to anyone who touches it. When strange mishaps start happening, Jackson and his friends dig into the mystery, learning about plants, history, and teamwork along the way. With short chapters, humor, and plenty of clues, this is a great pick for growing readers who like gentle mysteries. Kids enjoy Jackson’s curiosity, the lively garden setting, and the satisfying, clue-by-clue problem solving.
Setting: a community garden in urban Washington, D.C., present day
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose right for my child?
Yes — Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.4, which is typical for 4th 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, community, responsibility.
How long does it take to read Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose takes around 1.3h to finish. The book has 12,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose have an AR quiz?
Yes — Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose has an AR quiz available, worth 2 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 Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose?
Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose has an AR reading level of 4.4, which places it at a 4th 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.