Maggie's monkeys
by Linda Sanders-Wells
Candlewick Press 2009
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- imagination
- siblings
- empathy
- family support
- patience
- acceptance
- perspective-taking
- pretend play
About this book
When Maggie announces that a family of pink monkeys has moved into the refrigerator, her big brother is sure it’s just pretend—until everyone else starts playing along. Told from the brother’s point of view, this warm, funny picture book explores how a child wrestles with a sibling’s vivid imagination. As the household adjusts to the monkeys’ "needs," he learns empathy and finds a way to join the fun. Perfect for young readers who enjoy stories about family, pretend play, and seeing things from someone else’s perspective.
Setting: a contemporary family home and kitchen
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maggie's monkeys right for my child?
Yes — Maggie's monkeys 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 imagination, siblings, empathy.
How long does it take to read Maggie's monkeys?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Maggie's monkeys takes around 8m to finish. The book has 900 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Maggie's monkeys have an AR quiz?
Yes — Maggie's monkeys 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 Maggie's monkeys?
Maggie's monkeys 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.