The Incredible Journey

About this book

A classic Canadian story of the bravery and ingenuity of three animals who find their way home. First published in 1961, The Incredible Journey tells the story of three pets: a young Labrador retriever, an old bull terrier, and a Siamese cat. While their owners are away in England, they are being cared for by a family friend at his home in the country. But a miscommunication occurs between the friend and his housekeeper when he goes on a hunting trip, and the animals are left alone for a several hours, with a gnawing instinct that something has gone wrong. They soon set off on a journey to find home, which instinct tells them is to the west. They travel 400 kilometres across the Northern Ontario wilderness, facing many obstacles along the way: swift-flowing rivers and the rugged landscape;

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Why widely assigned

This Children's title, typically at grades 4–7. Written in the 2010s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Young Reader's Choice Award (PNLA)

  • recommended·4th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1964 Winner
  • recommended·5th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1964 Winner
  • recommended·6th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1964 Winner
  • recommended·7th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1964 Winner

Common questions

What grade level is The Incredible Journey?

The Incredible Journey is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 4–7. 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 The Incredible Journey?

It takes about 2h 50m to read The Incredible Journey (155 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 170 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign The Incredible Journey?

The Incredible Journey appears on reading lists for Young Reader's Choice Award (PNLA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is The Incredible Journey banned in schools?

The Incredible Journey 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.