The Warden's Daughter
Knopf Books for Young Readers 2017
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- grief and healing
- found family
- identity
- coming of age
- forgiveness
- resilience
- friendship
- loss
About this book
Cammie O’Reilly is growing up inside the Hancock County Prison, where her father is the warden and the inmates and staff feel like neighbors. The summer she turns thirteen, Cammie aches for a mother figure and sets her heart on the unflappable prison trustee who keeps house for them. Set in the late 1950s, this heartfelt coming-of-age story blends humor and grit as Cammie navigates grief, anger, and first steps toward healing. Readers are drawn to its strong voice, vivid setting, and the way unexpected connections help a tough kid find her way.
Setting: Hancock County Prison and a small Pennsylvania town, late 1950s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Warden's Daughter right for my child?
Yes — The Warden's Daughter is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.7, 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 grief and healing, found family, identity.
How long does it take to read The Warden's Daughter?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Warden's Daughter takes around 7.8h to finish. The book has 70,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Warden's Daughter have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Warden's Daughter has an AR quiz available, worth 10 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 Warden's Daughter?
The Warden's Daughter has an AR reading level of 4.7, 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.