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True heart book cover

True heart

by Marissa Moss

Scholastic 2000

★★★★☆

Great fit for 3rd grade

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

3rd grade English
0.5
AR Points
9m
Read time
AR Quiz Available
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Genre

Historical Fiction

Themes

  • courage
  • family
  • perseverance
  • identity
  • loyalty
  • hope
  • frontier life

About this book

A gentle historical tale about a brave young girl named True who must find courage and kindness as her family faces big changes. Through small acts of grit and an open heart, she learns what it really means to be loyal and strong. Simple, evocative text and warm illustrations make this an inviting read-aloud for younger readers. Kids enjoy its hopeful message and the relatable heroine who discovers her own true heart.

Setting: American frontier, 1800s

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is True heart right for my child?

Yes — True heart is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.7, which is typical for 3rd 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 courage, family, perseverance.

How long does it take to read True heart?

At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, True heart takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,200 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does True heart have an AR quiz?

Yes — True heart 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 True heart?

True heart has an AR reading level of 3.7, which places it at a 3rd 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.