Melonhead and the big stink
by Katy Kelly
Delacorte Press 2010
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Themes include environmental awareness
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- responsibility
- problem-solving
- creativity and invention
- community
- humor and mischief
- environmental awareness
- consequences
About this book
Adam "Melonhead" Melon and his best friend Sam cook up a brilliant plan that’s supposed to help the environment—until their experiment creates a truly unforgettable smell that threatens to take over the neighborhood. With a big community event looming and very little time, Melonhead has to use creativity and quick thinking to fix the mess he made. Set in Washington, D.C., this fast, funny story captures the ups and downs of fourth-grade life. Great for kids who enjoy laugh-out-loud misadventures and inventive problem-solving.
Setting: contemporary Washington, D.C., neighborhood
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melonhead and the big stink right for my child?
Yes — Melonhead and the big stink is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.7, 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 friendship, responsibility, problem-solving.
How long does it take to read Melonhead and the big stink?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Melonhead and the big stink takes around 3.5h to finish. The book has 32,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Melonhead and the big stink have an AR quiz?
Yes — Melonhead and the big stink has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 Melonhead and the big stink?
Melonhead and the big stink has an AR reading level of 4.7, 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.