Earth to Dad
by Krista Van Dolzer
Capstone 2018
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- family and separation
- trust and secrecy
- friendship
- truth vs. propaganda
- resilience
- identity and belonging
- space exploration and colonization
- communication across distance
- parent-child relationships
- coming of age
About this book
In a near-future Minnesota, eleven-year-old Jameson O’Malley lives on a military base while his dad works on a Mars colony. When a new girl, Astra Primm, arrives at Base Ripley, Jameson starts uncovering secrets about the mission, his family, and why his parents’ relationship is under strain. As messages between Earth and Mars grow more complicated, Jameson must decide whom to trust—and how far he’ll go to learn the truth.
Setting: Near-future Minnesota (Camp Ripley/Base Ripley) on Earth and a human colony on Mars
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earth to Dad right for my child?
Yes — Earth to Dad 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 family and separation, trust and secrecy, friendship.
How long does it take to read Earth to Dad?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Earth to Dad takes around 7.8h to finish. The book has 70,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Earth to Dad have an AR quiz?
Yes — Earth to Dad has an AR quiz available, worth 10 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 Earth to Dad?
Earth to Dad 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.