James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl
- Lexile
- 870L
- Grade range
- Grades 3–6
- Age range
- Ages 8–12
- Pages
- 146
- First published
- 1961
- Genre
- Middle Grade Fiction
- ISBN-13
- 9780142410363
About this book
Orphaned James escapes his cruel aunts inside a giant peach that grows from a magic crystal, joined by a band of oversized insects as they roll across the Atlantic. Dahl's first children's novel is a staple of 3rd-5th grade read-alouds and independent reading.
Themes
- escape
- friendship
- imagination
- overcoming cruelty
Content notes
- abusive guardians
- cartoonish violence
Common Sense Media recommends age 8+.
Where this book is assigned
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
- recommended· 4th gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 exemplar
- recommended· 5th gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 exemplar
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is James and the Giant Peach?
- James and the Giant Peach is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–6, with a Lexile measure of 870L. 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 James and the Giant Peach?
- James and the Giant Peach has a Lexile measure of 870L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- What curricula assign James and the Giant Peach?
- James and the Giant Peach appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is James and the Giant Peach banned in schools?
- James and the Giant Peach 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 James and the Giant Peach explore?
- Central themes in James and the Giant Peach include escape, friendship, imagination, overcoming cruelty. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.