What grade level is Backlash?

Backlash is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–8. 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 Backlash?

It takes about 6h 10m to read Backlash (336 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 370 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

Is Backlash banned in schools?

Backlash 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 Backlash explore?

Central themes in Backlash include neighbors, suicide, family life, cyberbullying. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.

Backlash

Name: Backlash
Availability: InStock
Author: Sarah Darer Littman
ISBN: 9780545651264

by Sarah Darer Littman

Assigned across 1 curriculum list · 1 state

On reading-award lists:Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award

Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman is assigned in US schools at grades 3–8. It appears across 1 curriculum reference and 1 state, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.

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

Listen free on Audible30-day trial Buy on Amazon

Audible trial: new members only. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Grade range: Grades 3–8
Age range: Ages 8–13
Pages: 336
Reading time: about 6h 10m (est.)
First published: 2015
Genre: Realistic Fiction
ISBN-13: 9780545651264

More formats & details

Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook

As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you. Pricing, Prime, and trial terms shown on Amazon.

About this book

When Christian, a boy she knows only through Facebook, posts a lot of nasty comments on her page, fifteen-year-old Lara tries to kill herself--but that is only the beginning of the backlash for her sister, Sydney; her former friend Bree; and her classmates.

Similar grade-level books

See all books like Backlash→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Why widely assigned

This Realistic Fiction title, typically at grades 3–8. Written in the 2010s; pairs with curriculum units on neighbors and suicide; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Themes

neighbors · suicide · family life · cyberbullying

Where this book is assigned

Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award

Was this page helpful?

Common questions

What grade level is Backlash?: Backlash is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–8. 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 Backlash?: It takes about 6h 10m to read Backlash (336 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 370 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
What curricula assign Backlash?: Backlash appears on reading lists for Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona) — formerly the Arizona Young Readers Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Backlash banned in schools?: Backlash 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 Backlash explore?: Central themes in Backlash include neighbors, suicide, family life, cyberbullying. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.

Why this book is on this list

How we classify

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 3–8 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
Curriculum alignment: Cited in 1 curriculum on this site (see “Where assigned” above for primary-source links).
State-level evidence: Cited in 1 state ELA framework or DOE list (see citations above).
Removal / banning records: No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
Seasonal / contextual tags: Tagged for: book-club.