Terrific
by Jon Agee
Hyperion Books For Children 2005
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- pessimism vs. optimism
- unlikely friendship
- resilience
- problem-solving
- humor and sarcasm
- gratitude
- adventure
About this book
A famously gloomy man wins a tropical vacation and can only say, "Terrific," in the most sarcastic way. When he ends up stranded with an injured parrot, his bad attitude meets a string of surprising mishaps and small victories. With witty repetition and expressive art, Jon Agee turns grumpiness into big laughs and gentle heart. Great for read-alouds, it hooks young listeners with humor while nudging them toward optimism and problem-solving.
Setting: a tropical island
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terrific right for my child?
Yes — Terrific is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.8, which is typical for 2nd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include pessimism vs. optimism, unlikely friendship, resilience.
How long does it take to read Terrific?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Terrific takes around 6m to finish. The book has 700 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Terrific have an AR quiz?
Yes — Terrific has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 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 Terrific?
Terrific has an AR reading level of 2.8, which places it at a 2nd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — 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.