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Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! book cover

Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!

by Gordon Korman

Scholastic Inc. 2013

★★★★★

Great fit for 5th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

5th grade English Juvenile Fiction
135
Pages
5
AR Points
3.6h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • friendship
  • mischief and pranks
  • school life
  • teamwork
  • loyalty
  • rebellion vs. authority
  • problem-solving

About this book

At Macdonald Hall, best friends Bruno and Boots are famous for hilarious pranks and big ideas. When the strict headmaster, nicknamed "The Fish," splits them up as roommates, the boys cook up ever-wilder schemes to reunite. Fast-paced chapters, witty dialogue, and boarding-school hijinks keep readers laughing while rooting for two loyal friends. Great for middle graders who enjoy comedy, friendship stories, and clever capers.

Setting: a Canadian boys’ boarding school (Ontario), contemporary

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! right for my child?

Yes — Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th 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, mischief and pranks, school life.

How long does it take to read Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!?

At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! takes around 3.6h to finish. The book has 36,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! have an AR quiz?

Yes — Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! has an AR quiz available, worth 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 Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!?

Macdonald Hall #1: This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th 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.