The Magic School Bus
Builds the Statue of Liberty
by Anne Capeci, Joanna Cole, Bruce Degen
2007
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- curiosity
- teamwork
- engineering and design
- American history
- problem-solving
- exploration
- perseverance
- citizenship and symbols
About this book
Ms. Frizzle takes her class on a field trip to the Statue of Liberty—and the Magic School Bus whisks them back in time to see how this famous monument was designed and built. Along the way, the kids learn where the statue came from, how it was shipped and assembled, and why it has become a symbol of freedom. Lively art, speech bubbles, and fun facts make history easy to understand for new readers. Perfect for kids who love field trips, inventions, and discovering how things are made.
Setting: France and New York Harbor, late 1800s (with time-travel from a modern classroom)
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Magic School Bus right for my child?
Yes — The Magic School Bus is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.3, which is typical for 3rd 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 curiosity, teamwork, engineering and design.
How long does it take to read The Magic School Bus?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, The Magic School Bus takes around 8m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Magic School Bus have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Magic School Bus 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 Magic School Bus?
The Magic School Bus has an AR reading level of 3.3, which places it at a 3rd 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.