Fly on the Wall
by Remy Lai
Henry Holt and Company (BYR) 2020
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- independence and growing up
- family dynamics and overprotection
- friendship and trust
- honesty and consequences of secrecy
- identity and self-expression
- internet anonymity and gossip
- courage and problem-solving
- cultural identity and diaspora
About this book
Twelve-year-old Henry Khoo, tired of his overprotective family and the fallout from his anonymous school gossip blog, secretly sets out on a solo trip from Australia to Singapore to prove he can be independent. Along the way, flight delays, family secrets, and friend drama force him to confront honesty, responsibility, and what it really means to grow up.
Setting: Contemporary Australia and Singapore; airports and airplanes during an international solo trip
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fly on the Wall right for my child?
Yes — Fly on the Wall is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.4, 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 independence and growing up, family dynamics and overprotection, friendship and trust.
How long does it take to read Fly on the Wall?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Fly on the Wall takes around 3.7h to finish. The book has 33,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Fly on the Wall have an AR quiz?
Yes — Fly on the Wall 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 Fly on the Wall?
Fly on the Wall has an AR reading level of 4.4, 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.