What grade level is Eight Keys?

Eight Keys is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 4–6. 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 Eight Keys?

It takes about 4 hours to read Eight Keys (216 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 240 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Eight Keys?

Eight Keys appears on reading lists for Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Eight Keys banned in schools?

Eight Keys 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 Eight Keys explore?

Central themes in Eight Keys include middle schools, schools, orphans, friendship. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.

Eight Keys

Name: Eight Keys
Availability: InStock
Author: Suzanne M. LaFleur
ISBN: 9780385908337

by Suzanne M. LaFleur

Assigned across 1 curriculum list · 1 state

On reading-award lists:Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award

Eight Keys by Suzanne M. LaFleur is assigned in US schools at grades 4–6. 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 Eight Keys 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 4–6
Age range: Ages 9–11
Pages: 216
Reading time: about 4 hours (est.)
First published: 2011
Genre: Realistic Fiction
ISBN-13: 9780385908337

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About this book

When twelve-year-old Elise, orphaned since age three, becomes disheartened by middle school, with its bullies, changing relationships, and higher expectations, keys to long-locked rooms and messages from her late father help her cope.

Similar grade-level books

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

Why widely assigned

This Realistic Fiction title, typically at grades 4–6. Written in the 2010s; pairs with curriculum units on middle schools and schools; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Themes

middle schools · schools · orphans · friendship

Where this book is assigned

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award

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Common questions

What grade level is Eight Keys?: Eight Keys is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 4–6. 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 Eight Keys?: It takes about 4 hours to read Eight Keys (216 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 240 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
What curricula assign Eight Keys?: Eight Keys appears on reading lists for Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Eight Keys banned in schools?: Eight Keys 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 Eight Keys explore?: Central themes in Eight Keys include middle schools, schools, orphans, friendship. 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 4–6 — 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.