Red Midnight

About this book

When guerrilla soldiers strike Santiago's village, they destroy everything in their path — including his home and family. Santiago and his four-year-old sister escape, running for their lives. But the only way they can be truly safe is to leave Guatemala behind forever. So Santiago and Angelina set sail in a sea kayak their Uncle Ramos built while dreaming of his own escape.

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

Why widely assigned

This Adventure title, typically at grades 3–8. Written in the 2000s; pairs with curriculum units on emigration and immigration and kayaks; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Nevada Young Readers' Award

  • recommended·3rd grade · Nevadasource: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.
  • recommended·4th grade · Nevadasource: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.
  • recommended·5th grade · Nevadasource: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.
  • recommended·6th grade · Nevadasource: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.
  • recommended·7th grade · Nevadasource: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.
  • recommended·8th grade · Nevadasource: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.

Common questions

What grade level is Red Midnight?

Red Midnight is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–8. 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 Red Midnight?

It takes about 3h 55m to read Red Midnight (212 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 235 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Red Midnight?

Red Midnight appears on reading lists for Nevada Young Readers' Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Red Midnight banned in schools?

Red Midnight 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 Red Midnight explore?

Central themes in Red Midnight include emigration and immigration, kayaks, kayaks and kayaking, survival. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.