Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday
by Rachel Renée Russell, Nikki Russell, Erin Russell
2018
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- friendship
- family
- expectations vs. reality
- self-acceptance
- gratitude
- problem-solving
- growing up
- celebrations and milestones
About this book
Nikki Maxwell is sure her birthday should be the party of the year—until her plans start to unravel in the most cringe-worthy ways. Between family expectations, friend drama, and a wish list that may be a bit over the top, Nikki has to figure out what really makes a celebration special. Told through doodles, diary entries, and lots of laugh-out-loud moments, this installment delivers the humor and heart fans love. Perfect for tweens who enjoy school stories with big feelings and bigger laughs.
Setting: modern-day suburban middle school and home
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday right for my child?
Yes — Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.3, which is typical for 5th 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, family, expectations vs. reality.
How long does it take to read Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday takes around 2.8h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday have an AR quiz?
Yes — Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday 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 Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday?
Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday has an AR reading level of 5.3, which places it at a 5th 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.