Totally confidential
by Sally Warner
HarperCollins Publishers 2000
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- secrets and privacy
- trust and honesty
- peer pressure
- identity and self-discovery
- gossip and rumors
- family dynamics
- growing up
About this book
A middle-schooler starts a "totally confidential" notebook to sort out the shifting world of friends, crushes, and family changes. When private thoughts brush up against public life, she must decide what to share and what to protect. With humor and honesty, the story explores how trust is built—and how easily it can be broken. Perfect for readers who enjoy realistic, friendship-centered dramas with lots of heart.
Setting: contemporary suburban California, mostly at home and middle school
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Totally confidential right for my child?
Yes — Totally confidential is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.8, 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 friendship, secrets and privacy, trust and honesty.
How long does it take to read Totally confidential?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Totally confidential takes around 5.5h to finish. The book has 50,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Totally confidential have an AR quiz?
Yes — Totally confidential has an AR quiz available, worth 7 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 Totally confidential?
Totally confidential has an AR reading level of 4.8, 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.