What grade level is Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth?

Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 4–5. 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 Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth?

It takes about 55 minutes to read Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth (52 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 Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth?

Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth appears on reading lists for Great Lakes Great Books Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth banned in schools?

Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth 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.

Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth

Name: Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth
Availability: InStock
Author: L. E. Carmichael
ISBN: 9781525311512

by L. E. Carmichael

Assigned across 1 curriculum list · 1 state

On reading-award lists:Great Lakes Great Books Award

Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth by L. E. Carmichael is assigned in US schools at grades 4–5. 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 Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth 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 4–5
Pages: 52
Reading time: about 55 minutes (est.)
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN-13: 9781525311512

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About this book

How do animals live in the harshest environments on Earth? Despite the bitter cold, ferocious winds and six months of darkness, the polar regions are home to many animals. These creatures can survive because of their unique adaptations, explored here through compelling fact-based stories and evocative illustrations. Readers learn about the arctic fox’s furry toe pads that protect her when walking on ice, emperor penguins that huddle in groups around their chicks to keep everyone warm, and narwhals that use echolocation to find a crack in the surface ice to breathe. It’s a fascinating journey through a year in the polar regions, where animals don’t just survive - they thrive!

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Why widely assigned

This Juvenile Nonfiction title, typically at grades 4–5. Published in the canon; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

Great Lakes Great Books Award
- recommended·4th grade · Michigan source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2025-26 honor book (official GLGBA winner press release, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference) — 4-5 division
- recommended·5th grade · Michigan source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2025-26 honor book (official GLGBA winner press release, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference) — 4-5 division

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Common questions

What grade level is Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth?: Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 4–5. 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 Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth?: It takes about 55 minutes to read Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth (52 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 Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth?: Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth appears on reading lists for Great Lakes Great Books Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth banned in schools?: Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth 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

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 4–5 — 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.