Cover of A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun

by Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is assigned in US schools at grades 9–12. It appears across 2 curriculum references and 2 states, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.

This page shows where A Raisin in the Sun is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.

Grade range
Grades 9–12
Age range
Ages 14–18
Pages
151
Reading time
about 2h 45m (est.)
First published
1959
Genre
Drama
ISBN-13
9780679755333
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About this book

The first play by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway, set in a cramped Chicago South Side apartment in the 1950s. The Younger family debates what to do with a $10,000 insurance check — a new business, medical school, a house in a white neighborhood. A frequent 9th-11th grade drama text paired with civil-rights history units.

Why widely assigned

This Drama title, typically at grades 9–12. Written in the 1950s; pairs with curriculum units on American Dream and Black family life; cited across 2 curriculum frameworks.

Themes

American Dream · Black family life · housing segregation · gender and work · assimilation vs heritage · generational conflict

Content notes

racial slurs (historical context) · housing discrimination · family conflict

Common Sense Media recommends age 12+.

Where this book is assigned

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See all books like A Raisin in the Sun→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Common questions

What grade level is A Raisin in the Sun?
A Raisin in the Sun is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 9–12. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
How long does it take to read A Raisin in the Sun?
It takes about 2h 45m to read A Raisin in the Sun (151 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 165 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
What curricula assign A Raisin in the Sun?
A Raisin in the Sun appears on reading lists for AP English Literature & Composition, Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is A Raisin in the Sun banned in schools?
A Raisin in the Sun does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.
What themes does A Raisin in the Sun explore?
Central themes in A Raisin in the Sun include American Dream, Black family life, housing segregation, gender and work, assimilation vs heritage. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.

Why this book is on this list

Each dimension below is sourced from a public reference. The full framework is documented on the classification standard page.

Lexile measure
Not classified — this book has no published Lexile measure.
Grade band
Grades 9–12 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 2 curricula on this site (see “Where assigned” above for primary-source links).
State-level evidence
Cited in 2 states ELA frameworks or DOE list (see citations above).
Removal / banning records
No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
Seasonal / contextual tags
No seasonal or program-specific tags on this book.