Cover of Rapunzel

Rapunzel

by Paul O. Zelinsky · Grades 1–4 · Fantasy

Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky is on US reading lists at grades 1–4. It appears on 1 list: the Caldecott Medal. Every citation below links to the primary source.

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Before you buy: Ages 6–9 · Grades 1–4. The button opens the print edition (ISBN 9780613608329). If the class uses a set edition or translation, match its ISBN first.

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Assigned across 1 curriculum list

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:Caldecott Medal

This page shows where Rapunzel 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 1–4
Age range
Ages 6–9
First published
1997
Genre
Fantasy
ISBN-13
9780613608329

Sources: grade range from the cited lists below, last checked 2026-09-23; pages and year from our catalog record (sources); reading time is an estimate at 250 words a minute.

Good fit for grade 1?

If you have read it with a child or a class in this grade, tell other parents and teachers. One tap, no account.

New to these terms? Reading levels by grade · What is the Caldecott Medal?

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Similar grade-level books

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

Why it is assigned

This fantasy title is typically read at grades 1–4. Written in the 1990s; pairs with curriculum units on fairy tales and folklore; cited on the Caldecott Medal.

Themes

fairy tales · folklore · rapunzel (tale) · magic

Where this book is recommended

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Common questions

What grade level is Rapunzel?
Rapunzel is listed for grades 1–4. It appears on 1 book-award list. Exact placement varies by school and district.
What curricula assign Rapunzel?
Rapunzel appears on reading lists for Caldecott Medal. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Rapunzel banned in schools?
Rapunzel 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. See the banned books list by state.
What themes does Rapunzel explore?
Central themes in Rapunzel include fairy tales, folklore, rapunzel (tale), magic.

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 1–4 — drawn from the book-award lists citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 1 curriculum on this site (see “Where recommended” 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.

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