The BFG
by Roald Dahl
- Lexile
- 720L
- Grade range
- Grades 3–6
- Age range
- Ages 8–12
- Pages
- 208
- First published
- 1982
- Genre
- Middle Grade Fiction
- ISBN-13
- 9780142410387
About this book
A giant who blows dreams into children's windows befriends the orphan Sophie, and together they plot to stop the man-eating giants terrorizing the countryside. Dahl's invented vocabulary ("whizzpoppers," "snozzcumbers") makes it a favorite for 3rd-5th grade phonics-game units.
Themes
- friendship
- courage
- imagination
- loneliness
Content notes
- giants who eat children (fantastical)
Common Sense Media recommends age 7+.
Where this book is assigned
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
- recommended· 4th gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 exemplar
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is The BFG?
- The BFG is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–6, with a Lexile measure of 720L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What is the Lexile level of The BFG?
- The BFG has a Lexile measure of 720L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- What curricula assign The BFG?
- The BFG appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is The BFG banned in schools?
- The BFG 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 The BFG explore?
- Central themes in The BFG include friendship, courage, imagination, loneliness. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.