Next-Door Neighbors
by Sarah Ellis
Yearling 1992
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- identity and belonging
- empathy
- prejudice and stereotypes
- family relationships
- courage
- class and privilege
- cultural differences
About this book
Twelve-year-old Peggy feels out of place after her family moves to a new town in Canada. Things begin to change when she meets George, an unconventional neighbor, and gets to know the reserved Chinese housekeeper who works for the formidable Mrs. Manning next door. As Peggy navigates new friendships and shifting family dynamics, she learns to see beyond first impressions and find her voice. A warm, realistic story for middle-grade readers about belonging and empathy.
Setting: a suburban Canadian neighborhood, contemporary (early 1990s)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Next-Door Neighbors right for my child?
Yes — Next-Door Neighbors 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, identity and belonging, empathy.
How long does it take to read Next-Door Neighbors?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Next-Door Neighbors takes around 4.3h to finish. The book has 39,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Next-Door Neighbors have an AR quiz?
Yes — Next-Door Neighbors 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 Next-Door Neighbors?
Next-Door Neighbors 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.