Let It Shine
by Ashley Bryan
Assigned across 1 curriculum list
Let It Shine by Ashley Bryan is assigned in US schools at grades k–3. 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 Let It Shine 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 K–3
- Pages
- 48
- Reading time
- about 55 minutes (est.)
- First published
- 2007
- Genre
- Juvenile Fiction
- ISBN-13
- 9781481409919
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
Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan celebrates three favorite spirituals in this colorful and joyous picture book. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Come, sing, and celebrate the power of the beloved songs “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” through kaleidoscopic illustrations of color and cut paper.
Similar grade-level books
Mr. Popper's PenguinsRichard Atwater · Florence Atwater · 910L
Charlotte's WebE.B. White · 680L
MatildaRoald Dahl · 840L
The BFGRoald Dahl · 720L
See all books like Let It Shine→ — matched on theme + reading level.
Why widely assigned
This Juvenile Fiction title, typically at grades k–3. Written in the 2000s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.
Where this book is assigned
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
- recommended·Kindergarten gradesource: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2008 winner
- recommended·1st gradesource: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2008 winner
- recommended·2nd gradesource: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2008 winner
- recommended·3rd gradesource: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2008 winner
Common questions
- What grade level is Let It Shine?
- Let It Shine is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades K–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 Let It Shine?
- It takes about 55 minutes to read Let It Shine (48 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 55 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
- What curricula assign Let It Shine?
- Let It Shine appears on reading lists for Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is Let It Shine banned in schools?
- Let It Shine 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 K–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
- 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: award-winner.