Puppy Love
by Rachel Renée Russell, Nikki Russell, Erin Russell
Simon & Schuster Children's 2015
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- responsibility
- pet care
- honesty
- crushes and social life
- family
- problem-solving
- empathy
About this book
Nikki Maxwell agrees to help care for a litter of abandoned puppies when the local shelter is full, but hiding them from her no-pets-allowed parents and managing school at the same time is tougher than she imagined. With her trademark humor, doodles, and drama, Nikki juggles friendship, crushes, and a whole lot of puppy chaos. This installment is perfect for tweens who enjoy funny, diary-style stories with heart. Fans love the relatable middle-school mishaps, cute animals, and Nikki’s upbeat, creative problem-solving.
Setting: modern-day suburban middle school and home
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puppy Love right for my child?
Yes — Puppy Love is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.4, 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 friendship, responsibility, pet care.
How long does it take to read Puppy Love?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Puppy Love takes around 2.9h to finish. The book has 29,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Puppy Love have an AR quiz?
Yes — Puppy Love has an AR quiz available, worth 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 Puppy Love?
Puppy Love has an AR reading level of 5.4, 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.