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The Report Card book cover

The Report Card

by Andrew Clements

Simon and Schuster 2006

★★★★☆

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English Juvenile Fiction
5
AR Points
3.5h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • academic pressure
  • identity
  • friendship
  • integrity
  • standing up for what you believe
  • conformity vs. individuality
  • school culture
  • critical thinking

About this book

Nora is secretly a genius who decides to bring home a terrible report card to challenge how much grades and tests really matter. Her bold experiment shakes up her school and family, and forces everyone to think about what learning should look like. With humor and heart, this story invites readers to question pressure around achievement while cheering for a brave, clever heroine. Perfect for upper elementary and middle grade readers who like school stories that spark discussion.

Setting: contemporary suburban elementary school

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Report Card right for my child?

Yes — The Report Card is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.1, 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 academic pressure, identity, friendship.

How long does it take to read The Report Card?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Report Card takes around 3.5h to finish. The book has 31,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does The Report Card have an AR quiz?

Yes — The Report Card 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 Report Card?

The Report Card has an AR reading level of 4.1, 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.