Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare
by William Joyce, Laura Geringer
Simon and Schuster 2011
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- courage
- good vs. evil
- redemption
- friendship
- destiny
- imagination vs. fear
- teamwork
- heroism
About this book
Daredevil swordsman Nicholas St. North stumbles into a hidden, magical village and a centuries-old fight against Pitch, the master of nightmares. As North discovers unexpected courage and a bigger destiny, the first Guardians begin to form to protect children’s hopes and dreams. Fast-paced battles, clever gadgets, and lush world-building make this an exciting origin story. Great for middle-grade readers who enjoy adventurous fantasy with a touch of holiday magic.
Setting: the mythical village of Santoff Claussen and fantastical realms inspired by old-world Russia
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare right for my child?
Yes — Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.4, which is typical for 5th 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 courage, good vs. evil, redemption.
How long does it take to read Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare takes around 3.2h to finish. The book has 32,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare have an AR quiz?
Yes — Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare has an AR quiz available, worth 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 Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare?
Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare has an AR reading level of 5.4, which places it at a 5th 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.