Echo

About this book

A single harmonica connects the fates of three children across Nazi Germany, Depression-era Pennsylvania, and wartime California, in a story braided with a fairy-tale frame. Pam Muñoz Ryan's Newbery Honor novel about music, family, and hope is a common grades 5-8 read.

Why widely assigned

This Historical Fiction title, reads at middle-grade prose complexity, typically at grades 5–8. Written in the 2010s; pairs with curriculum units on music and family.

Where this book is assigned

No curriculum assignments on file yet.

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

Common questions

What grade level is Echo?

Echo is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 5–8, with a Lexile measure of 680L. 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 Echo?

Echo has a Lexile measure of 680L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.

How long does it take to read Echo?

It takes about 10h 50m to read Echo (592 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 650 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

Is Echo hard to read for 5th grade?

At 680L, Echo reads below the typical 740–1010L text-complexity range for 5th grade (Common Core Appendix A). It is an accessible read for the grade — often assigned for its themes and discussion value rather than for reading challenge. Lexile measures text complexity, not thematic maturity — check the content notes for age-appropriateness separately.

Is Echo banned in schools?

Echo 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.