Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise
by Christel Desmoinaux
Margaret K. McElderry 2000
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- motherhood
- patience
- acceptance
- surprises
- family and belonging
- expectations vs. reality
- farm animals
- humor
About this book
Mrs. Hen dreams of becoming a mother and carefully tends to a very special egg. Day by day she imagines the little one inside and prepares for its arrival. When the egg finally hatches, she gets a big, funny surprise that reminds readers that love doesn’t always look the way we expect. Gentle text and warm illustrations make this a cozy read-aloud for preschoolers and early elementary kids.
Setting: a cozy farmyard and henhouse
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise right for my child?
Yes — Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.1, which is typical for 2nd 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 motherhood, patience, acceptance.
How long does it take to read Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise takes around 5m to finish. The book has 550 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise have an AR quiz?
Yes — Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise 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 Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise?
Mrs. Hen's Big Surprise has an AR reading level of 2.1, which places it at a 2nd 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.