Over My Dead Body
by Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 2011
Nero Wolfe
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- found family
- friendship
- courage
- standing up to authority
- belonging
- community
- humor
- perseverance
About this book
Told through letters, emails, newspaper clippings, and drawings, this second 43 Old Cemetery Road adventure finds Seymour, cranky author I.B. Grumply, and resident ghost Olive defending their unusual household from a rule-happy official who doesn’t believe in spirits. The trio must use wit, wordplay, and teamwork to keep their home—and family—together. Kids love the fast pace, punny humor, and playful visuals that make it feel like you’re reading someone’s real mail. Great for readers moving up to longer chapter books who enjoy spooky-funny mysteries.
Setting: the town of Ghastly, Illinois, mainly at 43 Old Cemetery Road (present day)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Over My Dead Body right for my child?
Yes — Over My Dead Body is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, 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 found family, friendship, courage.
How long does it take to read Over My Dead Body?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Over My Dead Body takes around 1.3h to finish. The book has 13,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Over My Dead Body have an AR quiz?
Yes — Over My Dead Body has an AR quiz available, worth 2 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 Over My Dead Body?
Over My Dead Body has an AR reading level of 5.2, 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.