Cover of In the Time of the Butterflies

In the Time of the Butterflies

by Julia Alvarez

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is assigned in US schools at grades k–5. It appears across 1 curriculum reference, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.

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

Grade range
Grades K–5
First published
2026
Genre
Picture Book
ISBN-13
9781643758121
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About this book

The very first graphic edition of the internationally bestselling modern-day classic about three brave sisters fighting against dictatorship, illustrated by award-winning artist Krystal Quiles. Set during the waning days of Trujillo's rule in the Dominican Republic, In the Time of the Butterflies was inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters, known as Las Mariposas, or the Butterflies, who were murdered on November 25, 1960, for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government. First published in 1994, the historical novel went on to receive wide acclaim, being nominated for the 1994 National Book Critical Circle Award, adapted into a feature film in 2001 starring Salma Hayek, and selected for the National Endowment for the Arts’ reading program, The Big Read. To

Why widely assigned

This Picture Book title, typically at grades k–5. Written in the 2020s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

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Common questions

What grade level is In the Time of the Butterflies?
In the Time of the Butterflies is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades K–5. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
What curricula assign In the Time of the Butterflies?
In the Time of the Butterflies appears on reading lists for Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is In the Time of the Butterflies banned in schools?
In the Time of the Butterflies 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.

Why this book is on this list

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 K–5 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 1 curriculum on this site (see “Where assigned” 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: read-aloud.