Margaret's moves
by Berniece Rabe
Scholastic 1988
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- moving and change
- friendship
- resilience
- family dynamics
- self-advocacy
- belonging
- identity
- perseverance
About this book
Margaret is tired of always being the new kid—every time her family moves, she has to start over with friends, teachers, and after-school plans. Just as she begins to feel at home, another move is on the horizon. Determined to take control, Margaret starts making 'moves' of her own to hold on to what matters. This realistic, easy-to-relate-to story appeals to kids who enjoy friendship tales and stories about finding your place.
Setting: an urban neighborhood, contemporary 1980s
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Margaret's moves right for my child?
Yes — Margaret's moves is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.5, which is typical for 4th 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 moving and change, friendship, resilience.
How long does it take to read Margaret's moves?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Margaret's moves takes around 2.1h to finish. The book has 19,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Margaret's moves have an AR quiz?
Yes — Margaret's moves has an AR quiz available, worth 2 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 Margaret's moves?
Margaret's moves has an AR reading level of 4.5, which places it at a 4th 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.