The Testaments
The Sequel to The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood
National Geographic Books 2019
Book 2 of The Handmaid's Tale
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.8 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Book 2 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- authoritarianism and theocracy
- patriarchy and misogyny
- resistance and rebellion
- complicity and moral ambiguity
- surveillance and control
- indoctrination and identity
- power, corruption, and justice
- memory, testimony, and truth
- family, loyalty, and betrayal
- female agency and solidarity
About this book
Set more than fifteen years after The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments follows three interwoven narrators—Aunt Lydia, a powerful and calculating architect of Gilead; Agnes, a girl raised within Gilead’s rigid theocracy; and Daisy, a teenager in Canada who learns unsettling truths about her past. As cracks spread through the regime, their converging testimonies expose the inner workings of Gilead and ignite a risky bid to bring it down.
Setting: The Republic of Gilead (near-future New England), including Ardua Hall, and contemporary Canada (especially Toronto), roughly 15+ years after The Handmaid’s Tale.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Testaments right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Testaments. The reading level is AR 6.8, 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 authoritarianism and theocracy, patriarchy and misogyny, resistance and rebellion. Note: this is book 2 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read The Testaments?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, The Testaments takes around 14h to finish. The book has 149,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Testaments have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Testaments has an AR quiz available, worth 21 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 The Testaments?
The Testaments has an AR reading level of 6.8, 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.