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King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred book cover

King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred

by Dori Hillestad Butler

National Geographic Books 2019

Great fit for 2nd grade

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

2nd grade English Juvenile Fiction
0.5
AR Points
9m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Mystery

Themes

  • friendship
  • problem-solving
  • teamwork
  • empathy
  • responsibility
  • community
  • observation and inference

About this book

When King and his human, Kayla, meet a friendly dog named Fred, they realize he’s lost—and determined to find his family. Kayla gathers clues and makes lists, while super-sniffer King follows his nose to piece the mystery together. With short chapters, repetitive patterns, and lots of visual humor, this early reader invites kids to predict, infer, and laugh along. Perfect for young sleuths just moving into chapter books and dog lovers alike.

Setting: a contemporary suburban neighborhood and nearby campground

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred right for my child?

Yes — King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred 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 friendship, problem-solving, teamwork.

How long does it take to read King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred?

At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred have an AR quiz?

Yes — King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred 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 King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred?

King & Kayla and the Case of Found Fred 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.