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United Tates of America book cover

United Tates of America

by Paula Danziger

Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media 2002

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English
144
Pages
4
AR Points
3.3h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • family
  • grief and healing
  • identity
  • friendship
  • art and creativity
  • change
  • resilience
  • humor

About this book

Seventh-grader Skate Tate loves to turn her lively family into a running cartoon called the "United Tates of America." When life at home shifts in unexpected ways, Skate leans on her art, her sense of humor, and her close-knit cousins to figure out who she is and how to speak up. With a warm, funny voice and relatable middle-school moments, this story explores family, friendship, and change. Great for readers who like realistic stories with heart and a creative twist.

Setting: contemporary American suburb and middle school

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is United Tates of America right for my child?

Yes — United Tates of America 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 family, grief and healing, identity.

How long does it take to read United Tates of America?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, United Tates of America takes around 3.3h to finish. The book has 30,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does United Tates of America have an AR quiz?

Yes — United Tates of America has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 United Tates of America?

United Tates of America 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.