Will I Have a Friend?
by Miriam Cohen
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 1967
Great fit for 1st grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- first day of school
- friendship
- anxiety and reassurance
- belonging
- empathy
- courage
- kindness
About this book
This classic picture book follows Jim on his very first day of kindergarten as he worries whether he’ll make a friend. With gentle reassurance from his dad and authentic, simple text, the story captures common first-day jitters. Young readers see that others feel the same way—and that friendship can begin in small, comforting moments. It’s a warm, reassuring read for new school-goers and their families.
Setting: a kindergarten classroom on the first day of school
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Will I Have a Friend? right for my child?
Yes — Will I Have a Friend? is a great fit for 1st grade. The reading level is AR 1.1, which is typical for 1st 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 first day of school, friendship, anxiety and reassurance.
How long does it take to read Will I Have a Friend??
At a typical 1st grade reading pace, Will I Have a Friend? takes around 7m to finish. The book has 580 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Will I Have a Friend? have an AR quiz?
Yes — Will I Have a Friend? 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 Will I Have a Friend??
Will I Have a Friend? has an AR reading level of 1.1, which places it at a 1st 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.