Amelia Bedelia
by Peggy Parish
- Lexile
- 380L
- Grade range
- Grades 1–3
- Age range
- Ages 6–9
- Pages
- 64
- First published
- 1963
- Genre
- Early Reader
- ISBN-13
- 9780060200961
About this book
A literal-minded housekeeper takes every idiom at face value — when told to "dust the furniture," she sprinkles dusting powder on it. Parish's long-running series introduces the concept of figurative language to early readers and appears on countless first and second-grade reading lists.
Themes
- figurative language
- humor
- good intentions
Where this book is assigned
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
- recommended· 2nd gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 2-3 exemplar
- recommended· 3rd gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 2-3 exemplar
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is Amelia Bedelia?
- Amelia Bedelia is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 1–3, with a Lexile measure of 380L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What is the Lexile level of Amelia Bedelia?
- Amelia Bedelia has a Lexile measure of 380L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- What curricula assign Amelia Bedelia?
- Amelia Bedelia appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is Amelia Bedelia banned in schools?
- Amelia Bedelia 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 Amelia Bedelia explore?
- Central themes in Amelia Bedelia include figurative language, humor, good intentions. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.