Older Than Dirt
A Wild but True History of Earth
by Don Brown, Mike Perfit
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2017
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- earth science
- geologic time
- change over time
- plate tectonics
- natural disasters
- climate change
- curiosity and inquiry
- humor in learning
About this book
Older Than Dirt is a fast, funny graphic history of our planet, from the Big Bang to today. Through cartoons and clear explanations, it tackles volcanoes, plate tectonics, mass extinctions, and climate change in kid-friendly bites. It’s perfect for curious middle graders who like science, humor, and visual storytelling. Teachers and parents appreciate how it makes big Earth-science concepts understandable and memorable without overwhelming readers.
Setting: Earth across deep geologic time, from the Big Bang to the present day
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Older Than Dirt right for my child?
Yes — Older Than Dirt is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.8, 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 earth science, geologic time, change over time.
How long does it take to read Older Than Dirt?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Older Than Dirt takes around 36m to finish. The book has 6,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Older Than Dirt have an AR quiz?
Yes — Older Than Dirt has an AR quiz available, worth 1 point. 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 Older Than Dirt?
Older Than Dirt has an AR reading level of 5.8, 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.