On thin ice
Penguin USA, Inc. 2008
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- popularity and cliques
- teamwork
- honesty and integrity
- self-confidence
- competition
- bullying and mean behavior
- school life
About this book
Sixth-grader Jenny McAfee is excited for a winter ice-skating event—until rivalry with the Pops heats up and friendships start to slip. As rumors swirl and competition grows, Jenny has to decide who to trust and how to stand up for what’s right. With plenty of school drama, humor, and heart, this story captures the ups and downs of middle school life. Perfect for tweens who like realistic stories about friends, crushes, and finding confidence.
Setting: contemporary suburban middle school and local ice rink during winter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is On thin ice right for my child?
Yes — On thin ice is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.4, 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, popularity and cliques, teamwork.
How long does it take to read On thin ice?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, On thin ice takes around 3.2h to finish. The book has 29,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does On thin ice have an AR quiz?
Yes — On thin ice has an AR quiz available, worth 3 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 On thin ice?
On thin ice has an AR reading level of 4.4, 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.