There's a Nightmare in My Closet
by Mercer Mayer
Penguin 1968
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- fear of the dark
- courage
- empathy
- facing fears
- imagination
- friendship
- bedtime
About this book
A young boy decides to face the scary nightmare that keeps sneaking out of his closet at bedtime—and discovers it isn’t so scary after all. With gentle humor and expressive illustrations, this classic picture book turns nighttime fears into something kids can handle. Perfect for preschool to early elementary readers, it’s a reassuring read-aloud for families dealing with fear of the dark. Kids enjoy the playful twist and the empowering message about bravery and compassion.
Setting: a child’s bedroom at night
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is There's a Nightmare in My Closet right for my child?
Yes — There's a Nightmare in My Closet is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.2, which is typical for 2nd 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 fear of the dark, courage, empathy.
How long does it take to read There's a Nightmare in My Closet?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, There's a Nightmare in My Closet takes around 5m to finish. The book has 560 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does There's a Nightmare in My Closet have an AR quiz?
Yes — There's a Nightmare in My Closet 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 There's a Nightmare in My Closet?
There's a Nightmare in My Closet has an AR reading level of 2.2, which places it at a 2nd 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.