Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens
A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #16: A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time
by Mary Pope Osborne, Natalie Pope Boyce
Random House Books for Young Readers 2012
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- social justice
- poverty and wealth
- empathy
- child labor
- resilience
- history and society
- compassion
- making a difference
About this book
This Magic Tree House Fact Tracker takes readers into Charles Dickens’s world to explore what life was like for children in Victorian England. With Jack and Annie as guides, kids learn about workhouses, factories, schools, and how wealthy families lived differently from the poor. It also explains how Dickens used his stories to shine a light on injustice and inspire change. Short chapters, photos, and engaging facts make it a great pick for curious readers who like history and real-world connections to the Magic Tree House adventures.
Setting: Victorian London and England, mid-1800s
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens right for my child?
Yes — Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6, which is typical for 6th 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 social justice, poverty and wealth, empathy.
How long does it take to read Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens takes around 1.1h to finish. The book has 11,500 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens have an AR quiz?
Yes — Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens has an AR quiz available, worth 1 point. 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 Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens?
Rags and Riches: Kids in the Time of Charles Dickens has an AR reading level of 6, which places it at a 6th 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.