Old Yeller
by Fred Gipson
Perennial 1920
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- coming of age
- family responsibility
- loyalty
- courage
- frontier life
- human–animal bond
- survival
- sacrifice
About this book
Set on the Texas frontier, Old Yeller follows a boy who must take on adult responsibilities while his father is away on a cattle drive. A stray, yellow-coated dog bounds into the family’s lives and proves himself brave, clever, and fiercely loyal. As challenges of the wild and daily ranch life mount, the bond between boy and dog deepens. Readers are drawn to its heartfelt storytelling, humor, and timeless portrait of courage and family.
Setting: Texas Hill Country, late 1860s frontier homestead
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Yeller right for my child?
Yes — Old Yeller 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 coming of age, family responsibility, loyalty.
How long does it take to read Old Yeller?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Old Yeller takes around 4.3h to finish. The book has 43,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Old Yeller have an AR quiz?
Yes — Old Yeller 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 Old Yeller?
Old Yeller 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.