Moonpie and Ivy
Thorndike Press 2001
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- family
- abandonment
- friendship
- belonging
- trust
- resilience
- forgiveness
About this book
When her flighty mother skips town, a spirited girl finds herself living with prickly Aunt Ivy in a tiny Southern town. There she meets a quiet neighbor nicknamed Moonpie, and the two forge an unexpected friendship as she figures out what home can mean. With humor and heart, the story explores the push and pull between longing for the past and building a new place to belong. Perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy character-driven stories set in small towns.
Setting: small-town rural American South, present day
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moonpie and Ivy right for my child?
Yes — Moonpie and Ivy is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.1, 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 family, abandonment, friendship.
How long does it take to read Moonpie and Ivy?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Moonpie and Ivy takes around 3.0h to finish. The book has 27,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Moonpie and Ivy have an AR quiz?
Yes — Moonpie and Ivy 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 Moonpie and Ivy?
Moonpie and Ivy has an AR reading level of 4.1, 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.