The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1
Locker Hero
by Rachel Renée Russell, Erin Russell
Simon and Schuster 2016
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- bullying
- courage
- friendship
- self-confidence
- resilience
- school life
- heroism
- problem-solving
About this book
Max Crumbly is starting public middle school after being homeschooled—and it’s not going smoothly. Bullies, embarrassing moments, and a towering stack of lockers make him wish he had real superhero powers. With comic-style humor and doodles, Max tries to find his courage and do the right thing when trouble strikes. Perfect for fans of diary-format comedies, this fast, funny read celebrates resilience and heroics in everyday life.
Setting: a contemporary American middle school
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1 right for my child?
Yes — The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1 is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.9, 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 bullying, courage, friendship.
How long does it take to read The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1 takes around 3.1h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1 have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1 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 The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1?
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1 has an AR reading level of 4.9, 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.