The Curse of the Trouble Dolls
Henry Holt Books For Young Readers 1993
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- Friendship and jealousy
- Cultural traditions and folklore
- Superstition vs. reality
- Responsibility and honesty
- Consequences of rumors
- Identity and belonging
About this book
Fourth-grader Angie Wu becomes the talk of her class when she brings in a set of Guatemalan trouble dolls said to make worries disappear. But when her classmates’ problems don’t magically resolve—and a string of small mishaps follows—Angie has to confront hurt feelings, superstition, and what it really takes to make things right.
Setting: Contemporary United States; fourth-grade classroom, school, and neighborhood (1990s)
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Curse of the Trouble Dolls right for my child?
Yes — The Curse of the Trouble Dolls is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.1, 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 and jealousy, Cultural traditions and folklore, Superstition vs. reality.
How long does it take to read The Curse of the Trouble Dolls?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Curse of the Trouble Dolls takes around 59m to finish. The book has 8,900 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Curse of the Trouble Dolls have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Curse of the Trouble Dolls has an AR quiz available, worth 1 point. 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 The Curse of the Trouble Dolls?
The Curse of the Trouble Dolls has an AR reading level of 4.1, 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.