The Leaving Morning
Houghton Mifflin Reading: The 2000
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- moving and change
- family love
- community
- memory and nostalgia
- resilience
- goodbyes
- new beginnings
About this book
A young boy and his sister spend one last morning saying goodbye to the people and places they love before their family moves away. Told in gentle, poetic language, the story captures the mixed feelings that come with leaving—sadness, excitement, and hope. With warm, expressive illustrations, it reassures kids that memories and family travel with you. Perfect for early elementary readers experiencing a move or big change.
Setting: a contemporary city neighborhood
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Leaving Morning right for my child?
Yes — The Leaving Morning 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 moving and change, family love, community.
How long does it take to read The Leaving Morning?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, The Leaving Morning takes around 6m to finish. The book has 700 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Leaving Morning have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Leaving Morning 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 The Leaving Morning?
The Leaving Morning 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.