The Glad Man
by Houghton Mifflin Company
Houghton Mifflin 1992
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- homelessness
- empathy
- community
- courage
- prejudice
- responsibility
About this book
When two kids discover an elderly man and his loyal dog living on the edge of a city dump, a chance meeting grows into an unexpected friendship. As they learn his story, the children confront the rumors and fears of their neighborhood and wrestle with what it means to help. This realistic novel gently explores homelessness and dignity through a kid-friendly lens. It’s a heartfelt read for middle graders who like character-driven stories about doing the right thing.
Setting: a contemporary American city, centered around a municipal dump and nearby neighborhood
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Glad Man right for my child?
Yes — The Glad Man is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.6, 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, homelessness, empathy.
How long does it take to read The Glad Man?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Glad Man takes around 4.2h to finish. The book has 38,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Glad Man have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Glad Man 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 The Glad Man?
The Glad Man has an AR reading level of 4.6, 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.