Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
After a fortune cookie predicts Nate will surpass everyone, he spends a school day collecting detention slips to make it true. With a much easier ATOS 3.1 reading level, this is the perfect illustrated read-alike for a seven-year-old reading solo.
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce is estimated to take about 127 minutes to read aloud (13,810 words, about 4 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 6-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 127 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 13,810Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 4Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 6-8Our editorial fit
Our review
Nate is a fun, high-energy character for kids who enjoy a bit of mischief. The text is significantly easier than Wimpy Kid, making it accessible for younger readers who still want a "fat" book with plenty of illustrations.
This works well for a seven-year-old who wants to tackle a novel independently. It’s a great choice for a child who enjoys comics and school-based humor.
Before you buy it
At over 13,000 words, this is still a long read that will take a few weeks. It's the same book sold as Big Nate: The Boy with the Biggest Head in the World in the UK.
Themes
- school
- comics
- detention
- friendship
- sport
Books like Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Diary of a Wimpy Kidabout 181 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Madeabout 205 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Miss Daisy Is Crazy!about 59.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
The Adventures of Captain Underpantsabout 53.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journalabout 149.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Big Nate: In a Class by Himself aloud?
About 127 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 13,810. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Big Nate: In a Class by Himself actually for?
Ages 6-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 4 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Big Nate: In a Class by Himself survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise Big Nate: In a Class by Himself?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Big Nate: In a Class by Himself on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 4 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
Is Big Nate: In a Class by Himself part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Big Nate series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does Big Nate: In a Class by Himself cover?
We tag it with school, comics, detention, friendship and sport. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
