In the Shadow of Blackbirds
by Cat Winters
Assigned across 1 curriculum list
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters is assigned in US schools at grades 9–12. It appears across 1 curriculum reference, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.
This page shows where In the Shadow of Blackbirds is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.
- Grade range
- Grades 9–12
- Pages
- 387
- Reading time
- about 7h 5m (est.)
- First published
- 2014
- Genre
- Young Adult
- ISBN-13
- 9780545706056
As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
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
In San Diego in 1918, as deadly influenza and World War I take their toll, sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort and, despite her scientific leanings, must consider if ghosts are real when her first love, killed in battle, returns.
Similar grade-level books
- Ghetto CowboyG. Neri
Fahrenheit 451Ray Bradbury · 890L- Okay for NowGary D. Schmidt
The Diary of a Young GirlAnne Frank · 1080L
See all books like In the Shadow of Blackbirds→ — matched on theme + reading level.
Why widely assigned
This Young Adult title, typically at grades 9–12. Written in the 2010s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.
Where this book is assigned
William C. Morris YA Debut Award
- recommended·9th gradesource: William C. Morris YA Debut Award winners + finalists, via Wikipedia — 2014 Honor
- recommended·10th gradesource: William C. Morris YA Debut Award winners + finalists, via Wikipedia — 2014 Honor
- recommended·11th gradesource: William C. Morris YA Debut Award winners + finalists, via Wikipedia — 2014 Honor
- recommended·12th gradesource: William C. Morris YA Debut Award winners + finalists, via Wikipedia — 2014 Honor
Common questions
- What grade level is In the Shadow of Blackbirds?
- In the Shadow of Blackbirds is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 9–12. 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 In the Shadow of Blackbirds?
- It takes about 7h 5m to read In the Shadow of Blackbirds (387 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 425 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
- What curricula assign In the Shadow of Blackbirds?
- In the Shadow of Blackbirds appears on reading lists for William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is In the Shadow of Blackbirds banned in schools?
- In the Shadow of Blackbirds 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
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 9–12 — 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
- Not yet documented in a state-level framework on this site.
- Removal / banning records
- No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
- Seasonal / contextual tags
- Tagged for: read-aloud.