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McBroom's ghost book cover

McBroom's ghost

by Sid Fleischman

Rebound by Sagebrush 1985

Challenging read for K–3rd grade

Reading level 4.3 (4th grade) is above the ages 5–9 interest range

4th grade English
48
Pages
0.5
AR Points
32m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Tall Tale

Themes

  • tall tales
  • family teamwork
  • cleverness and trickery
  • skepticism vs. superstition
  • rural life
  • problem-solving
  • courage
  • community

About this book

On his legendary one-acre prairie farm, Josh McBroom swears he’s seen a ghost—setting off a hilariously spooky tall tale his brood of redheaded children won’t soon forget. With quick wit and down-home exaggeration, the family faces eerie goings-on and a mystery that needs some clever unraveling. Sid Fleischman’s playful language and humor make this a lively read-aloud and a confidence-building choice for young independent readers. Kids enjoy the fast pace, laugh-out-loud twists, and the larger-than-life flavor of a classic American tall tale.

Setting: a one-acre prairie farm on the American frontier

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is McBroom's ghost right for my child?

It depends — here's what to consider for McBroom's ghost. The reading level is AR 4.3, which is typical for 4th 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 tall tales, family teamwork, cleverness and trickery.

How long does it take to read McBroom's ghost?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, McBroom's ghost takes around 32m to finish. The book has 4,800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does McBroom's ghost have an AR quiz?

Yes — McBroom's ghost 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 McBroom's ghost?

McBroom's ghost has an AR reading level of 4.3, which places it at a 4th 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.