Pingo and the Playground Bully
by Brandon Mull
Pingo 2012
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- bullying and empathy
- imagination
- courage
- self-confidence
- teamwork
- kindness
About this book
Chad and his classmates hold a contest to see whose imaginary friend is the best—until the schoolyard bully crashes the game. With Pingo at his side, Chad learns that real strength comes from kindness, creativity, and standing up for friends. Lively illustrations and playful humor make this a fun read-aloud for younger elementary readers. Perfect for kids navigating playground dynamics and learning what true friendship looks like.
Setting: an elementary school and playground
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pingo and the Playground Bully right for my child?
Yes — Pingo and the Playground Bully is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.2, 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 friendship, bullying and empathy, imagination.
How long does it take to read Pingo and the Playground Bully?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Pingo and the Playground Bully takes around 7m to finish. The book has 1,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Pingo and the Playground Bully have an AR quiz?
Yes — Pingo and the Playground Bully 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 Pingo and the Playground Bully?
Pingo and the Playground Bully has an AR reading level of 3.2, 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.