CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS reading levels

Never underestimate the power of underwear! These books are super popular with boys and they seem to fly off the shelves. So much so that every library we've ever visited has an amazing number of copies.

What's even more amazing is
that kids manage to read these books, even though they might be several grades more difficult than their reading level. A HIGHLY MOTIVATING series.


Volume #1
bookcover of the Adventures of Captain Underpants #1 by Dav PilkeyThe Adventures of Captain Underpants

In book#1, George and Harold use hypnosis to turn their 'difficult' principal into a superhero. Then they do battle with Dr. Diaper!

Word Count: 5,731
Page Count: 121
Accelerated Reading level: 4.3 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 20251
Lexile: 720L
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 043908282X
  • sample pages available


Volume #2
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets

Captain Underpants, aka Principal Krupp, once again dons his superhero outfit as he battles the evil talking toilets at Jerome Horwitz Elementary School.

Word Count: 5,595
Page Count: 144
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 34624
Lexile: 780L
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 0590634275
  • sample pages available


Volume #3
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds)

Captain Underpants must stop evil space aliens who have turned everyone at school into zombie nerds. Will the lunchroom ever be the same?

Word Count: 4,668
Page Count: 144
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 34629
Lexile: 730L
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 0439049962
  • sample pages available


Volume #4
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants
Professor Pippy P. Poopypants goes to the dark-side when children make fun of him because of his name, and it's up Harold and George and Captain Underpants to save the day.

Word Count: 5,582
Page Count: 160
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 35816
Lexile: 640L
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 0439049989
  • sample pages available


Volume #5
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman
Wedgie Woman is out to take over the world.

Word Count: 7,389
Page Count: 176
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 54477
Lexile: 640L
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 0439050006
  • sample pages available


Volume #6
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets

The situation gets messy when Melvin Sneedley, a fellow student, turns into the Bionic Booger Boy.

Word Count: 7,560
Page Count: 175
Accelerated Reading level: 5.2 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 71681
Lexile: 850L
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 0439376106
  • sample pages available


Volume #7
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridiculous Robo-Boogers

A new character is introduced. Sulu the Bionic Hamster joins the gang as they try to turn the Bionic Booger Boy back into Melvin Sneedly.

Word Count: 8,531
Page Count: 175
Accelerated Reading level: 4.9 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 72761
Lexile: 710L
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 0439376122
  • sample pages available


Volume #8
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People

Things go topsy-turvy as George and Harold 'travel' to a world where cafeteria food is wonderful and teachers are super nice. Wouldn't be so bad except that their 'twins' are evil.

Word Count: 7,177
Page Count: 176
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 108880
Lexile: 850L
  • Publisher: Blue Sky Press
  • ISBN-10: 0439376149
  • sample pages available

Volume #9
bookcover of Captain Underpants by Dav PilkeyCaptain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers

**STARRED REVIEW** Publishers Weekly

We're still reading this one, but suffice it to say that the book starts out with George and Harold heading for prison. Note that this book is much longer than the others, and so far very, very slow to get going.

The longest book so far.

Word Count: 17,957
Page Count: 304
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 3.0
AR quiz: 153823 
  • Publisher: Scholastic
  • ISBN-10: 0545175348


Volume #10
Captain Underpants and the Brainy Bamboozle of Black Cheetah Man (TBA)
compiled by iPam