Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird
by Jean Little
Penguin 1984
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- grief and loss
- family bonds
- resilience
- friendship
- creativity and writing
- healing
- coming of age
- hope
About this book
When a thoughtful boy faces his father’s serious illness, he turns to writing, friends, and family to make sense of the changes in his world. Jean Little crafts a tender, honest portrait of grief and healing that feels true to life without being overwhelming. Ideal for middle-grade readers ready for deeper, character-driven stories, it resonates because of its heart, humor, and hope.
Setting: a contemporary Canadian town (Ontario), 1980s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird right for my child?
Yes — Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.1, 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 grief and loss, family bonds, resilience.
How long does it take to read Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird takes around 5.9h to finish. The book has 58,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird have an AR quiz?
Yes — Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird has an AR quiz available, worth 8 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 Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird?
Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird has an AR reading level of 5.1, 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.