Tiger Boy
National Geographic Books 2015
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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About this book
“One of the new tiger cubs has escaped from the reserve!” When a tiger cub escapes from a nature reserve near Neel’s island village, the rangers and villagers hurry to find her before the cub’s anxious mother follows suit and endangers them all. Mr. Gupta, a rich newcomer to the island, is also searching—he wants to sell the cub’s body parts on the black market. Neel and his sister, Rupa, resolve to find the cub first and bring her back to the reserve where she belongs. The hunt for the cub interrupts Neel’s preparations for an exam to win a prestigious scholarship at a boarding school far from home. Neel doesn’t mind—he dreads the exam and would rather stay on his beloved island in the Sunderbans of West Bengal with his family and friends. But through his encounter with the cub, Neil learns that sometimes you have to take risks to preserve what you love. And sometimes you have to sacrifice the present for the chance to improve the future. Awards & Honors • Notable Books for a Global Society • NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction (Honorable Mention) • CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People • A Junior Library Guild Selection • CCBC Choices • 2017 North Dakota Library Association Flicker Tale Children's Book Award nominee, intermediate fiction • 2016 South Asia Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tiger Boy right for my child?
Yes — Tiger Boy is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.1, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated , meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade).
How long does it take to read Tiger Boy?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Tiger Boy takes around 2.3h to finish. The book has 22,819 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Tiger Boy have an AR quiz?
Yes — Tiger Boy has an AR quiz available, worth 3 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 Tiger Boy?
Tiger Boy has an AR reading level of 5.1, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated — 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.