Skip to main content
The AR Booklist
News for dogs book cover

News for dogs

by Lois Duncan

Scholastic 2009

★★★★★

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English
217
Pages
7
AR Points
5.5h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.

Learn more about Accelerated Reading →

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • animal rescue
  • family and siblings
  • responsibility
  • friendship
  • community
  • entrepreneurship
  • problem-solving
  • compassion

About this book

When siblings Andi and Bruce dream up a dog-themed newspaper, their fun project quickly turns into a community hit—complete with stories, advice, and ads that help match pups with people. But as their paper grows, strange things start happening with local dogs, and the kids find themselves sleuthing to protect the pets they love. A companion to Hotel for Dogs, this stand-alone adventure blends humor, heart, and a dash of mystery. Perfect for animal lovers and readers who enjoy fast-moving, feel-good stories.

Setting: a contemporary small American town

Readers also enjoyed

Frequently Asked Questions

Is News for dogs right for my child?

Yes — News for dogs 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 animal rescue, family and siblings, responsibility.

How long does it take to read News for dogs?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, News for dogs takes around 5.5h to finish. The book has 49,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does News for dogs have an AR quiz?

Yes — News for dogs has an AR quiz available, worth 7 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 News for dogs?

News for dogs 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.