The Testaments
The Booker Prize-winning sequel to the bestselling novel The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood
Random House 2019
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.2 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- authoritarianism and theocracy
- patriarchy and misogyny
- resistance and rebellion
- complicity and moral compromise
- surveillance and secrecy
- indoctrination and propaganda
- power, control, and corruption
- female agency and solidarity
- identity and belonging
- betrayal and trust
- justice and accountability
About this book
Set about fifteen years after The Handmaid's Tale, The Testaments interweaves the testimonies of Aunt Lydia, a girl raised within Gilead, and a Canadian teenager looking in from outside. As cracks spread through the theocratic state, their converging stories expose the machinery of control, complicity, and resistance that could bring Gilead down.
Setting: The Republic of Gilead and contemporary Canada (notably Ardua Hall in Gilead and Toronto), approximately fifteen 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 6.2, 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 authoritarianism and theocracy, patriarchy and misogyny, resistance and rebellion.
How long does it take to read The Testaments?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, The Testaments takes around 13h to finish. The book has 134,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Testaments have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Testaments has an AR quiz available, worth 22 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 6.2, 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.