Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat!
A QUIX Book
by Stephanie Calmenson
Simon and Schuster 2021
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- humor
- school life
- facing fears
- teamwork
- problem-solving
- community
- imagination vs. reality
About this book
Principal Mr. Bundy keeps hearing spooky voices at PS 88, and soon everyone wonders whether the school might be haunted! With plenty of jokes, short chapters, and playful illustrations, this QUIX early chapter book invites emerging readers to solve the mystery alongside a very nervous—but lovable—principal. Kids will enjoy the silly scares, school hijinks, and the satisfying way clues add up without being too spooky. It’s a fun pick for fans of humorous school stories and light mysteries.
Setting: a contemporary elementary school (PS 88) in the city
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat! right for my child?
Yes — Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat! is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.3, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include humor, school life, facing fears.
How long does it take to read Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat!?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat! takes around 1.1h to finish. The book has 9,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat! have an AR quiz?
Yes — Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat! 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 Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat!?
Our Principal Is a Scaredy-Cat! has an AR reading level of 3.3, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — 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.