Cover of Surviving the Applewhites

Surviving the Applewhites

by Stephanie S. Tolan · Grades 5–8 · Realistic Fiction

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan is on US reading lists at grades 5–8. It appears on 3 lists: 3 book-award lists, across 3 states. Every citation below links to the primary source.

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Before you buy: Ages 10–13 · Grades 5–8. The button opens the paperback edition (ISBN 9780439566759). If the class uses a set edition or translation, match its ISBN first.

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Widely assigned — 3 curriculum lists · 3 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:William Allen White Children's Book AwardGreat Stone Face Book AwardKentucky Bluegrass Award

This page shows where Surviving the Applewhites 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 5–8
Age range
Ages 10–13
First published
2009
Genre
Realistic Fiction
ISBN-13
9780439566759

Sources: grade range from the cited lists below, last checked 2026-07-07; pages and year from our catalog record (sources); reading time is an estimate at 250 words a minute.

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More like this

Same grade band, chosen by theme and by how many reading lists carry them. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

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About this book

Book facts and sources (3)
On award reading lists
Catalog record
First published 2009 (source: how we source book data)

Similar grade-level books

See all books like Surviving the Applewhites→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Why widely assigned

This realistic fiction title is typically read at grades 5–8. Written in the 2000s; pairs with curriculum units on family and art; cited on 3 lists: 3 book-award lists.

Themes

family · art · growth

Where this book is recommended

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Common questions

What grade level is Surviving the Applewhites?
Surviving the Applewhites is listed for grades 5–8. It appears on 3 state book-award lists across 3 states. Exact placement varies by school and district.
What curricula assign Surviving the Applewhites?
Surviving the Applewhites appears on reading lists for Great Stone Face Book Award, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, William Allen White Children's Book Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Surviving the Applewhites banned in schools?
Surviving the Applewhites has documented removals from at least one public-school district in 1 state (WI) per PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. Policies vary by district.
What themes does Surviving the Applewhites explore?
Central themes in Surviving the Applewhites include family, art, growth.

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 5–8 — drawn from the state book-award lists citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 3 curricula on this site (see “Where recommended” above for primary-source links).
State-level evidence
On state book-award lists in 3 states (see citations above).
Removal / banning records
Documented as challenged or removed in 1 state per PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans — see the full banned & challenged books list.
Seasonal / contextual tags
Tagged for: book-club.

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