My best friend is as sharp as a pencil
by Hanoch Piven
Schwartz & Wade Books 2010
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- school life
- creativity
- figurative language
- imagination
- self-expression
- humor
About this book
In this playful picture book, a student introduces her teacher, classmates, and best friend using clever similes and whimsical collage portraits made from everyday objects. Each page turns ordinary school life into something imaginative and funny, sparking kids’ creativity. It’s a great pick for early elementary readers and perfect for talking about figurative language. Young artists and writers will enjoy the inventive art style and the way words paint pictures.
Setting: an elementary school classroom
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My best friend is as sharp as a pencil right for my child?
Yes — My best friend is as sharp as a pencil is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.5, which is typical for 3rd 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 friendship, school life, creativity.
How long does it take to read My best friend is as sharp as a pencil?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, My best friend is as sharp as a pencil takes around 4m to finish. The book has 480 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does My best friend is as sharp as a pencil have an AR quiz?
Yes — My best friend is as sharp as a pencil 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 My best friend is as sharp as a pencil?
My best friend is as sharp as a pencil has an AR reading level of 3.5, which places it at a 3rd 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.