While You Are Sleeping
A Lift-the-Flap Book of Time Around the World
by Durga Bernhard
Charlesbridge Publishing 2011
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
Themes include global awareness
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Genre
Themes
- global awareness
- time zones
- daily life
- diversity
- curiosity
- geography
- day and night
About this book
This lift-the-flap picture book follows the world at one moment in time, showing that while one child sleeps, another is starting the day somewhere else. Simple, rhythmic text and engaging flaps introduce time zones and everyday life in different countries. It’s a gentle, visual way to build global awareness and talk about maps, clocks, and routines. Perfect for shared reading with young children in preschool to early elementary.
Setting: contemporary locations around the world across different time zones
Frequently Asked Questions
Is While You Are Sleeping right for my child?
Yes — While You Are Sleeping is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.7, which is typical for 2nd 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 global awareness, time zones, daily life.
How long does it take to read While You Are Sleeping?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, While You Are Sleeping takes around 4m to finish. The book has 450 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does While You Are Sleeping have an AR quiz?
Yes — While You Are Sleeping 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 While You Are Sleeping?
While You Are Sleeping has an AR reading level of 2.7, which places it at a 2nd 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.