Ugly Pie
by Lisa Wheeler
Houghton Mifflin 2009
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- sharing and community
- friendship
- food and cooking
- problem-solving
- kindness
- perseverance
- humor
- wordplay and rhyme
About this book
Ol’ Bear has a powerful craving for ugly pie and heads out to find the ‘ugly’ ingredients he needs. Along the way he visits friendly neighbors, picking up little bits of this and that in a bouncy, folksy rhyme. The story’s playful language and cumulative structure make it a lively read-aloud for younger listeners. It’s a warm celebration of sharing, community, and the joy of baking something together.
Setting: a cozy woodland countryside and neighbors’ kitchens
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ugly Pie right for my child?
Yes — Ugly Pie is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3, 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 sharing and community, friendship, food and cooking.
How long does it take to read Ugly Pie?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Ugly Pie takes around 8m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Ugly Pie have an AR quiz?
Yes — Ugly Pie 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 Ugly Pie?
Ugly Pie has an AR reading level of 3, 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.