The Matchlock Gun
by Walter Dumaux Edmonds
Assigned across 1 curriculum list
The Matchlock Gun by Walter Dumaux Edmonds is assigned in US schools at grades 3–7. 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 The Matchlock Gun 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 3–7
- First published
- 1941
- Genre
- Children's stories
- ISBN-13
- 9780780767447
As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
More formats & details
Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you. Pricing, Prime, and trial terms shown on Amazon.
About this book
Winner of the Newbery Medal, this stirring tale of a small boy, his mother and younger sister, and an antique matchlock gun, is based on a true story.
Similar grade-level books
- Ghetto CowboyG. Neri
- Okay for NowGary D. Schmidt
The Diary of a Young GirlAnne Frank · 1080L
The GiverLois Lowry · 760L
See all books like The Matchlock Gun→ — matched on theme + reading level.
Why widely assigned
This Children's stories title, typically at grades 3–7. Written in the 1940s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.
Where this book is assigned
Newbery Medal
- recommended·3rd gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1942 Newbery Medal winner
- recommended·4th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1942 Newbery Medal winner
- recommended·5th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1942 Newbery Medal winner
- recommended·6th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1942 Newbery Medal winner
- recommended·7th gradesource: Newbery Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1942 Newbery Medal winner
Common questions
- What grade level is The Matchlock Gun?
- The Matchlock Gun is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 3–7. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What curricula assign The Matchlock Gun?
- The Matchlock Gun appears on reading lists for Newbery Medal. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is The Matchlock Gun banned in schools?
- The Matchlock Gun 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 3–7 — 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: award-winner.