What grade level is Braided Roots?

Braided Roots is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 2–3. 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 Braided Roots?

It takes about 45 minutes to read Braided Roots (40 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 45 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Braided Roots?

Braided Roots appears on reading lists for Great Lakes Great Books Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Braided Roots banned in schools?

Braided Roots 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.

Braided Roots

Name: Braided Roots
Availability: InStock
Author: Pasha Westbrook
ISBN: 9781546110965

by Pasha Westbrook

Assigned across 1 curriculum list · 1 state

On reading-award lists:Great Lakes Great Books Award

Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook is assigned in US schools at grades 2–3. 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 Braided Roots is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.

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Grade range: Grades 2–3
Pages: 40
Reading time: about 45 minutes (est.)
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN-13: 9781546110965

More formats & details

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About this book

A stunning, poetic debut picture book from Pasha Westbrook about honoring one’s roots and the unbreakable bond of familial love, brought to life with enchanting illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight. Father braids my hair, just like his, scented of coconut oil, the familiar tug of fingers on my scalp, love in every twist... As a young girl’s father lovingly yet painstakingly braids her hair, he weaves a story about the strength and resilience of their ancestors, Freedmen who walked the Trail of Tears from Mississippi to Oklahoma. In this enchanting picture book, past and present come together in a tale about endurance, history, and love. With beautiful, sweeping illustrations by Madelyn Goodnight and debut author Pasha Westbrook's lyrical writing, Braided Roots tenderly explores the unwaverin

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Why widely assigned

This Juvenile Fiction title, typically at grades 2–3. Published in the canon; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

Great Lakes Great Books Award
- recommended·2nd grade · Michigan source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — 2-3 division
- recommended·3rd grade · Michigan source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — 2-3 division

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Common questions

What grade level is Braided Roots?: Braided Roots is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 2–3. 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 Braided Roots?: It takes about 45 minutes to read Braided Roots (40 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 45 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
What curricula assign Braided Roots?: Braided Roots appears on reading lists for Great Lakes Great Books Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Braided Roots banned in schools?: Braided Roots 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.

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 2–3 — 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.