Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself
by Judy Blume
Piper Books in association with Heinemann 1977
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Themes include postwar recovery
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Genre
Themes
- imagination
- family bonds
- friendship
- identity and self-discovery
- coping with change
- fear and safety
- Jewish heritage
- postwar recovery
About this book
Set just after World War II, this humorous and heartfelt story follows imaginative fifth-grader Sally as her family spends a year in Miami Beach while her father stays behind to work. Sally daydreams wildly—she’s even sure she’s spotted Hitler in Florida—while navigating new friends, school, and worries about the wider world. Judy Blume blends laugh-out-loud moments with tender insights about family, identity, and growing up. Perfect for middle-grade readers who enjoy realistic stories with a strong, relatable voice.
Setting: Miami Beach, Florida, 1947 (post–World War II), with ties to New Jersey
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself right for my child?
Yes — Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.8, 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 imagination, family bonds, friendship.
How long does it take to read Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself takes around 7.5h to finish. The book has 67,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself have an AR quiz?
Yes — Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself has an AR quiz available, worth 9 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 Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself?
Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself has an AR reading level of 4.8, 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.