The Tale of Despereaux
The Deluxe Movie Storybook
Candlewick Press (MA) 2008
Challenging read for K–3rd grade
Reading level 4 (4th grade) is above the ages 5–9 interest range
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Genre
Themes
- bravery
- friendship
- forgiveness
- identity
- hope
- light vs. darkness
- loyalty
About this book
Based on the animated film of Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal-winning novel, this deluxe storybook retells Despereaux's brave journey with large, cinematic art and interactive pop-ups. Young readers follow a tiny mouse with a huge heart, a princess, and a rat as key scenes unfold through flaps and novelty features. The clear, engaging text makes it a fun read-aloud for early elementary students and a gentle bridge to the full novel. Kids enjoy the adventure, humor, and hands-on surprises on every spread.
Setting: a medieval kingdom and castle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Tale of Despereaux right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Tale of Despereaux. The reading level is AR 4, which is typical for 4th 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 bravery, friendship, forgiveness.
How long does it take to read The Tale of Despereaux?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Tale of Despereaux takes around 10m to finish. The book has 1,500 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Tale of Despereaux have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Tale of Despereaux 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 Tale of Despereaux?
The Tale of Despereaux has an AR reading level of 4, which places it at a 4th 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.