One for Sorrow
One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn 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 One for Sorrow 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 4–6
- Pages
- 305
- Reading time
- about 5h 35m (est.)
- First published
- 2017
- ISBN-13
- 9781328699022
Where to find this book
Audible: new members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership.
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
Against the ominous backdrop of the influenza epidemic of 1918, Annie, a new girl at school, is claimed as best friend by Elsie, a classmate who is a tattletale, a liar, and a thief. Soon Annie makes other friends and finds herself joining them in teasing and tormenting Elsie. Elsie dies from influenza, but then she returns to reclaim Annie's friendship and punish all the girls who bullied her. Young readers who revel in spooky stories will relish this chilling tale of a girl haunted by a vengeful ghost.
Where this book is assigned
Mark Twain Readers Award
- recommended·4th grade · Missourisource: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2020
- recommended·5th grade · Missourisource: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2020
- recommended·6th grade · Missourisource: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2020
Similar grade-level books
The GiverLois Lowry · 760L
Charlotte's WebE.B. White · 680L
The Hunger GamesSuzanne Collins · 810L
MatildaRoald Dahl · 840L
See all books like One for Sorrow→ — matched on theme + reading level.
Common questions
- What grade level is One for Sorrow?
- One for Sorrow 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 One for Sorrow?
- It takes about 5h 35m to read One for Sorrow (305 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 335 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
- What curricula assign One for Sorrow?
- One for Sorrow appears on reading lists for Mark Twain Readers Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is One for Sorrow banned in schools?
- One for Sorrow 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 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: award-winner.