Playground Bully
by Marcia Thornton Jones
Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media 2001
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- bullying
- friendship
- empathy
- self-confidence
- problem-solving
- respect
- school life
About this book
A young student dreads recess because a kid on the playground is acting like a bully. With help from friends and caring adults, the child learns simple strategies to stand up for themselves and make safer choices. This early reader uses familiar school situations, short chapters, and supportive illustrations to build confidence. It’s a reassuring story for kids just starting to navigate friendships and conflicts at school.
Setting: an elementary school and its playground
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playground Bully right for my child?
Yes — Playground Bully is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.3, which is typical for 2nd 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 bullying, friendship, empathy.
How long does it take to read Playground Bully?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Playground Bully takes around 7m to finish. The book has 800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Playground Bully have an AR quiz?
Yes — 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 Playground Bully?
Playground Bully has an AR reading level of 2.3, which places it at a 2nd 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.