Words of Stone
by Kevin Henkes
Demco Media 1992
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- grief and healing
- friendship
- truth and lies
- trust and betrayal
- family
- forgiveness
- resilience
- identity and belonging
About this book
A sensitive, character-driven story about a boy coping with the loss of his mother and the unpredictable new girl who barges into his summer. When a startling message scrawled on a rock shakes him, their uneasy connection forces both kids to face truth, trust, and the power of words. Kevin Henkes captures small moments and big feelings with quiet intensity. Perfect for readers who like realistic fiction about friendship, forgiveness, and healing.
Setting: small-town rural Midwest (likely Wisconsin), contemporary/1990s summer
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Words of Stone right for my child?
Yes — Words of Stone is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.7, 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 grief and healing, friendship, truth and lies.
How long does it take to read Words of Stone?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Words of Stone takes around 3.5h to finish. The book has 32,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Words of Stone have an AR quiz?
Yes — Words of Stone 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 Words of Stone?
Words of Stone has an AR reading level of 4.7, 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.