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Swindle (Swindle #1) book cover

Swindle (Swindle #1)

by Gordon Korman

Scholastic Inc. 2012

★★★★★

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English Juvenile Fiction
165
Pages
5
AR Points
4.3h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Adventure

Themes

  • friendship
  • teamwork
  • justice
  • resourcefulness
  • courage
  • perseverance
  • clever planning
  • standing up for what’s right

About this book

When a slick collector swipes Griffin Bing’s rare baseball card, he rallies a crew of classmates—each with a special skill—for an after-hours heist to get it back. Alarms, guard dogs, and grown-up rules won’t stop these determined friends from righting a wrong. Fast-paced, funny, and full of clever twists, this caper keeps readers turning pages. Perfect for middle-grade readers who love teamwork, problem-solving, and adventure with a dose of humor.

Setting: a small contemporary town in New York (Cedarville), present day

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Swindle (Swindle #1) right for my child?

Yes — Swindle (Swindle #1) is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.9, 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, teamwork, justice.

How long does it take to read Swindle (Swindle #1)?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Swindle (Swindle #1) takes around 4.3h to finish. The book has 39,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Swindle (Swindle #1) have an AR quiz?

Yes — Swindle (Swindle #1) 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 Swindle (Swindle #1)?

Swindle (Swindle #1) has an AR reading level of 4.9, 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.