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Trouble According to Humphrey book cover

Trouble According to Humphrey

by Betty G. Birney

Penguin Publishing Group 2008

★★★★★

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English
176
Pages
4
AR Points
2.9h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • friendship
  • empathy
  • responsibility
  • problem-solving
  • school life
  • community
  • self-confidence

About this book

Humphrey the classroom hamster is back, observing the ups and downs of Room 26 with his usual curiosity and heart. When mix-ups and misunderstandings cause trouble at school and at home, Humphrey finds small, clever ways to help his human classmates solve their problems. Told from Humphrey’s hilarious point of view, this story blends humor with gentle life lessons. Perfect for grades 3–5, it’s a warm, quick read that builds confidence and keeps kids turning pages.

Setting: an elementary school classroom (Room 26) and the surrounding community

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Trouble According to Humphrey right for my child?

Yes — Trouble According to Humphrey is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.2, 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, empathy, responsibility.

How long does it take to read Trouble According to Humphrey?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Trouble According to Humphrey takes around 2.9h to finish. The book has 26,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Trouble According to Humphrey have an AR quiz?

Yes — Trouble According to Humphrey has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 Trouble According to Humphrey?

Trouble According to Humphrey has an AR reading level of 4.2, 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.