Write me if you dare!
by Emily Rhoads Johnson
Front Street/Cricket Books 2000
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- honesty and consequences
- curiosity and investigation
- identity and secrets
- communication and letter-writing
- responsibility
- courage
- problem-solving
About this book
When a pair of middle-school friends start exchanging bold letters and dares, their game draws in an unexpected correspondent—and a mystery that spills into real life. Told through lively notes, lists, and letters, the story follows kids who must decide whom to trust as clues—and consequences—pile up. It’s a fast, funny, and suspenseful read for grades 4–7 that celebrates curious minds and the power of words. Readers enjoy the authentic voices, twisty puzzle, and the epistolary format that makes it hard to put down.
Setting: contemporary small-town America, around school, homes, and neighborhood streets
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Write me if you dare! right for my child?
Yes — Write me if you dare! is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.8, 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, honesty and consequences, curiosity and investigation.
How long does it take to read Write me if you dare!?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Write me if you dare! takes around 5.5h to finish. The book has 49,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Write me if you dare! have an AR quiz?
Yes — Write me if you dare! has an AR quiz available, worth 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 Write me if you dare!?
Write me if you dare! has an AR reading level of 4.8, 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.