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Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter book cover

Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter

by Rachel Renée Russell

2015

Great fit for 5th grade

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

5th grade English Juvenile Fiction
3
AR Points
2.7h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Humor

Themes

  • responsibility
  • friendship
  • crushes and first love
  • honesty
  • time management
  • animal welfare
  • self-confidence
  • problem-solving

About this book

Nikki Maxwell signs up to pet sit for her crush’s family shelter and quickly discovers that caring for a houseful of cute animals is way tougher than it looks. Between middle school drama, best-friend mix-ups, and keeping the chaos under control, her plans don’t always go as expected. Told through doodles, diary entries, and lots of laughs, this story captures the fun—and stress—of big responsibilities. Perfect for fans of humorous school stories and animal adventures.

Setting: suburban middle school and the Fuzzy Friends animal shelter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter right for my child?

Yes — Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, 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 responsibility, friendship, crushes and first love.

How long does it take to read Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter?

At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter takes around 2.7h to finish. The book has 27,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter have an AR quiz?

Yes — Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter 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-Perfect Pet Sitter?

Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter has an AR reading level of 5.2, 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.