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The AR Booklist
The Visitor book cover

The Visitor

by Katherine Applegate

1999

Book 2 of Animorphs

Easy read — content targets 4th–8th grade

Reading level 3.8 (3rd grade) but themes aimed at ages 9–14

Book 2 in a series — earlier books first

3rd grade English Juvenile Fiction
196
Pages
5
AR Points
4.2h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Science Fiction; Adventure

Themes

  • identity and transformation
  • courage and bravery
  • friendship and loyalty
  • secrecy and surveillance
  • ethical dilemmas
  • resistance against oppression
  • family and trust
  • power and responsibility

About this book

Rachel and the Animorphs suspect that Vice Principal Chapman is under Yeerk control—and that Rachel’s friend Melissa may be in danger. To uncover the truth, Rachel morphs into Melissa’s cat and infiltrates the Chapman household, risking exposure to learn how deep the Yeerk invasion goes.

Setting: Contemporary American suburb; middle school; Chapman household; local mall and Sharing meetings

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Visitor right for my child?

It depends — here's what to consider for The Visitor. The reading level is AR 3.8, which is typical for 3rd 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 identity and transformation, courage and bravery, friendship and loyalty. Note: this is book 2 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.

How long does it take to read The Visitor?

At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, The Visitor takes around 4.2h to finish. The book has 33,875 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does The Visitor have an AR quiz?

Yes — The Visitor 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 The Visitor?

The Visitor has an AR reading level of 3.8, which places it at a 3rd 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.