Cover of Powerless

Powerless

by Matthew Cody · Grades 4–7 · Fantasy

Powerless by Matthew Cody is on US reading lists at grades 4–7. It appears on 2 lists: 2 book-award lists, across 2 states. Every citation below links to the primary source.

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Before you buy: Ages 9–13 · Grades 4–7. The button opens the paperback edition (ISBN 9780375893537). If the class uses a set edition or translation, match its ISBN first.

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Assigned across 2 curriculum lists · 2 states

Grade placement varies by school — the median assigned book spans 4 grade levels (83% span three or more, across 13,258 source-cited assignments).

On reading-award lists:Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book AwardVirginia Readers' Choice

This page shows where Powerless is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.

Reading level at a glance

Grade range
Grades 4–7
Age range
Ages 9–13
First published
2009
Genre
Fantasy
ISBN-13
9780375893537

Sources: grade range from the cited lists below, last checked 2026-09-24; pages and year from our catalog record (sources); reading time is an estimate at 250 words a minute.

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About this book

Book facts and sources (2)
On award reading lists
Catalog record
First published 2009 (source: how we source book data)

Similar grade-level books

See all books like Powerless→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Why it is assigned

This fantasy title is typically read at grades 4–7. Written in the 2000s; pairs with curriculum units on superheroes and friendship; cited on 2 lists: 2 book-award lists.

Themes

superheroes · friendship · memory

Where this book is recommended

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Common questions

What grade level is Powerless?
Powerless is listed for grades 4–7. It appears on 2 state book-award lists across 2 states, from grade 4 to grade 8. Exact placement varies by school and district.
What curricula assign Powerless?
Powerless appears on reading lists for Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, Virginia Readers' Choice. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Powerless banned in schools?
Powerless 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 Powerless explore?
Central themes in Powerless include superheroes, friendship, memory.

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 4–7 — drawn from the state book-award lists citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 2 curricula on this site (see “Where recommended” above for primary-source links).
State-level evidence
On state book-award lists in 2 states (see citations above).
Removal / banning records
No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
Seasonal / contextual tags
Tagged for: book-club.

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