A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories
by Ray Bradbury
Harper Collins 2013
Mature content — preview before assigning
Reading level 6.2 (6th grade) · ages 14+
Flagged for mature content — preview before assigning
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Genre
Themes
- nostalgia and memory
- humanity vs. technology
- imagination and wonder
- identity and transformation
- the uncanny in the everyday
- isolation and belonging
- myth and modernity
- childhood and coming of age
- fear and desire
- the unknown and exploration
About this book
A classic Ray Bradbury collection of speculative short stories that blend wonder, nostalgia, and unease. From a miraculous "ice-cream" suit that transforms lives to encounters with Martians and uncanny suburban happenings, Bradbury paints indelible images of humanity confronting the strange and the sublime.
Setting: Varied: mid-20th-century America, Mars, small towns, beaches, and near-future or fantastical locales
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories right for my child?
Use caution — A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories has mature content worth previewing first. The reading level is AR 6.2, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include nostalgia and memory, humanity vs. technology, imagination and wonder. This book is flagged for mature content — worth previewing before assigning.
How long does it take to read A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories takes around 7.7h to finish. The book has 81,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories have an AR quiz?
Yes — A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories has an AR quiz available, worth 12 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 A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories?
A Medicine for Melancholy and Other Stories has an AR reading level of 6.2, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — 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.