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The AR Booklist
Top Cat book cover

Top Cat

by Lois Ehlert

Scholastic 2001

★★★★★

Great fit for 1st grade

Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9

1st grade English
38
Pages
0.5
AR Points
4m
Read time
AR Quiz Available
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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • jealousy
  • sibling rivalry
  • adaptation to change
  • empathy
  • family
  • friendship
  • pets
  • humor

About this book

A confident house cat rules the roost—until a new kitten arrives and shakes up the routine. Through simple, lively text and bold cut-paper art, the story follows how "Top Cat" copes with jealousy and learns to share space and attention. Perfect for preschool and early elementary readers, it gently explores feelings around change in a warm, humorous way. Cat lovers and families welcoming a new pet or sibling will especially enjoy it.

Setting: a family home in the present day

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Top Cat right for my child?

Yes — Top Cat is a great fit for 1st grade. The reading level is AR 1.6, which is typical for 1st 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 jealousy, sibling rivalry, adaptation to change.

How long does it take to read Top Cat?

At a typical 1st grade reading pace, Top Cat takes around 4m to finish. The book has 300 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Top Cat have an AR quiz?

Yes — Top Cat 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 Top Cat?

Top Cat has an AR reading level of 1.6, which places it at a 1st 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.