Night Cry
Yearling 1984
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- mystery and suspense
- grief and guilt
- courage
- perseverance
- truth vs. rumor
- responsibility
- family
- self-reliance
About this book
Set around a quiet lakeside community, this suspenseful novel follows a teenage girl who can’t shake the feeling that a toddler believed to have drowned might still be out there. Haunted by guilt and a mysterious cry she hears at night, she begins to question what everyone else accepts as the truth. As she digs deeper, she uncovers secrets, danger, and the courage to trust her instincts. It’s a tense, page‑turning mystery perfect for middle graders who like eerie settings and emotionally rich stories.
Setting: a small lakeside town, summer
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Night Cry right for my child?
Yes — Night Cry is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5, 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 mystery and suspense, grief and guilt, courage.
How long does it take to read Night Cry?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Night Cry takes around 4.5h to finish. The book has 44,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Night Cry have an AR quiz?
Yes — Night Cry 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 Night Cry?
Night Cry has an AR reading level of 5, 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.