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Pecos Bill book cover

Pecos Bill

by Steven Kellogg

Un Libro Mulberry en Español 1986

★★★★☆

Challenging read for K–3rd grade

Reading level 4.4 (4th grade) is above the ages 5–9 interest range

4th grade English
40
Pages
0.5
AR Points
11m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Folklore

Themes

  • American folklore
  • adventure
  • humor
  • resourcefulness
  • the frontier/Old West
  • legend and exaggeration
  • nature vs. human ingenuity
  • bravery

About this book

This lively retelling of the classic American tall tale follows Pecos Bill, the larger-than-life cowboy who was raised by coyotes and grows up to tame the wild West. With rollicking humor and exaggerated feats, Bill lassos tornadoes, rides mountain lions, and turns the desert into his playground. Steven Kellogg’s detailed, energetic art and playful language make the story a crowd-pleaser for read-alouds. It’s a great pick for young readers who enjoy adventure, folklore, and big laughs.

Setting: mythic American West (Texas and the desert frontier)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecos Bill right for my child?

It depends — here's what to consider for Pecos Bill. The reading level is AR 4.4, which is typical for 4th 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 American folklore, adventure, humor.

How long does it take to read Pecos Bill?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Pecos Bill takes around 11m to finish. The book has 1,600 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Pecos Bill have an AR quiz?

Yes — Pecos Bill has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 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 Pecos Bill?

Pecos Bill has an AR reading level of 4.4, which places it at a 4th 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.