Janet's Thingamajigs
Yearling Books 1988
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- siblings
- sharing
- jealousy
- growing up
- independence
- family life
- problem-solving
About this book
Janet loves collecting little treasures—her special thingamajigs—and keeping them all to herself, much to her twin brother Jimmy’s envy. When the twins graduate from cribs to real beds, they begin to see that growing up can change how they share space and stuff. With Beverly Cleary’s gentle humor and everyday warmth, this sweet slice-of-life story reassures young readers about transitions. Perfect for preschoolers and early elementary kids, especially siblings learning about sharing and independence.
Setting: a family home and bedroom in a contemporary suburban setting
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Janet's Thingamajigs right for my child?
Yes — Janet's Thingamajigs is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.3, 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 siblings, sharing, jealousy.
How long does it take to read Janet's Thingamajigs?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Janet's Thingamajigs takes around 6m to finish. The book has 700 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Janet's Thingamajigs have an AR quiz?
Yes — Janet's Thingamajigs 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 Janet's Thingamajigs?
Janet's Thingamajigs has an AR reading level of 2.3, 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.