The Fault in Our Stars

About this book

Sixteen-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster, who lives with terminal thyroid cancer, meets Augustus Waters at a support group, and the two fall into a sharp, funny, and unflinching romance. John Green's novel follows their search for meaning and a favorite author across a brief, intense relationship shadowed by illness. A bestseller frequently used in grades 9-12 and book-club settings, it pairs an accessible voice with mature reflection on mortality and grief.

Why widely assigned

This Young Adult Fiction title, reads at middle-grade prose complexity, typically at grades 9–12. Written in the 2010s; pairs with curriculum units on mortality and grief.

Where this book is assigned

No curriculum assignments on file yet.

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Common questions

What grade level is The Fault in Our Stars?

The Fault in Our Stars is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 9–12, with a Lexile measure of 850L. 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 Fault in Our Stars?

The Fault in Our Stars has a Lexile measure of 850L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.

How long does it take to read The Fault in Our Stars?

It takes about 5h 45m to read The Fault in Our Stars (313 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 345 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

Is The Fault in Our Stars hard to read for 9th grade?

At 850L, The Fault in Our Stars reads below the typical 1050–1335L text-complexity range for 9th grade (Common Core Appendix A). It is an accessible read for the grade — often assigned for its themes and discussion value rather than for reading challenge. Lexile measures text complexity, not thematic maturity — check the content notes for age-appropriateness separately.

Is The Fault in Our Stars banned in schools?

The Fault in Our Stars 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.