Rats, Spiders and Love
by Bonnie Pryor
Dell Publishing Company 1986
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- first crush
- facing fears
- peer pressure
- self-confidence
- honesty
- responsibility
- school life
About this book
A middle-school girl who’s squeamish about creepy crawlies gets paired on a science project that involves live rats and spiders—right when she’s also navigating crushes, cliques, and mixed messages about what it means to be popular. As the project grows, so do the stakes at school and at home, pushing her to face her fears and speak up for herself. This funny, relatable story blends science-fair mishaps with first feelings of love and friendship drama. It’s a great pick for readers who enjoy realistic school stories with heart and humor.
Setting: contemporary suburban middle school, United States, 1980s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rats, Spiders and Love right for my child?
Yes — Rats, Spiders and Love is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.5, which is typical for 4th 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, first crush, facing fears.
How long does it take to read Rats, Spiders and Love?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Rats, Spiders and Love takes around 3.2h to finish. The book has 29,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Rats, Spiders and Love have an AR quiz?
Yes — Rats, Spiders and Love has an AR quiz available, worth 3 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 Rats, Spiders and Love?
Rats, Spiders and Love has an AR reading level of 4.5, which places it at a 4th 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.