One to Grow on
by Jean Little, Jerry Lazare
Boston : Little, Brown 1969
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- honesty and integrity
- friendship
- consequences
- self-discovery
- family dynamics
- peer pressure
- empathy
- trust
About this book
Janie Chisholm can spin a story faster than she can tell the truth, but her little lies start to add up. When she befriends Lisa—who lies in ways that actually hurt—Janie is forced to face the consequences of dishonesty. This thoughtful, relatable story follows a middle-grade girl learning what trust, friendship, and integrity really mean. Perfect for readers who enjoy realistic school-and-family stories with strong character growth.
Setting: a small Canadian town, late 1960s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is One to Grow on right for my child?
Yes — One to Grow on 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 honesty and integrity, friendship, consequences.
How long does it take to read One to Grow on?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, One to Grow on takes around 3.1h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does One to Grow on have an AR quiz?
Yes — One to Grow on has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 One to Grow on?
One to Grow on 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.