Surprises According to Humphrey
Faber and Faber Ltd 2008
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- change
- responsibility
- empathy
- problem-solving
- school life
- community
- kindness
About this book
Humphrey the classroom hamster is back—and this time Room 26 is full of surprises. From unexpected changes at school to new challenges at his classmates’ homes, Humphrey observes, listens, and finds gentle ways to help. His curious nature and big heart turn small problems into lessons about friendship and kindness. Readers who enjoy school stories, humor, and animal narrators will be delighted by Humphrey’s hopeful, squeak-funny point of view.
Setting: present-day suburban elementary school (Room 26) and students’ homes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surprises According to Humphrey right for my child?
Yes — Surprises According to Humphrey is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.2, 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, change, responsibility.
How long does it take to read Surprises According to Humphrey?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Surprises According to Humphrey takes around 3.2h to finish. The book has 29,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Surprises According to Humphrey have an AR quiz?
Yes — Surprises According to Humphrey has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 Surprises According to Humphrey?
Surprises According to Humphrey has an AR reading level of 4.2, 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.