The Story of Doctor Dolittle
Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts, Never Before Printed
by Hugh Lofting
Turtleback Books 1968
Doctor Dolittle
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- kindness to animals
- adventure
- friendship
- empathy
- courage
- problem-solving
- communication
- helping others
About this book
This classic tale follows the kindly Doctor Dolittle, a village physician who learns to speak the language of animals. With a loyal crew of animal friends, he sets sail for Africa to help cure a mysterious monkey illness. Gentle humor, imaginative adventures, and charming animal characters make it a favorite for readers who love animal stories. It’s an engaging pick for independent readers ready for a timeless chapter-book adventure.
Setting: Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, England, and a sea voyage to Africa in the early 1900s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Story of Doctor Dolittle right for my child?
Yes — The Story of Doctor Dolittle is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.7, which is typical for 5th 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 kindness to animals, adventure, friendship.
How long does it take to read The Story of Doctor Dolittle?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Story of Doctor Dolittle takes around 3.0h to finish. The book has 30,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Story of Doctor Dolittle have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Story of Doctor Dolittle 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 Story of Doctor Dolittle?
The Story of Doctor Dolittle has an AR reading level of 5.7, which places it at a 5th 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.