The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
The Maze Runner by James Dashner is assigned in US schools at grades 7–12. It appears across 1 curriculum reference and 1 state, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.
This page shows where The Maze Runner 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 7–12
- Age range
- Ages 12–17
- First published
- 2012
- Genre
- Dystopian
- ISBN-13
- 9781908435484
Where to find this book
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About this book
When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze.
Why widely assigned
This Dystopian title, typically at grades 7–12. Written in the 2010s; pairs with curriculum units on survival and memory; cited across 1 curriculum framework.
Themes
survival · memory · friendship
Where this book is assigned
Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award
- recommended·7th grade · Arizonasource: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)
- recommended·8th grade · Arizonasource: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)
Similar grade-level books
The Great GatsbyF. Scott Fitzgerald · 1070L
1984George Orwell · 1090L
The GiverLois Lowry · 760L
The Diary of a Young GirlAnne Frank · 1080L
See all books like The Maze Runner→ — matched on theme + reading level.
Common questions
- What grade level is The Maze Runner?
- The Maze Runner is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 7–12. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What curricula assign The Maze Runner?
- The Maze Runner appears on reading lists for Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is The Maze Runner banned in schools?
- The Maze Runner 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 Maze Runner explore?
- Central themes in The Maze Runner include survival, memory, friendship. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.
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 7–12 — 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
- Cited in 1 state ELA framework or DOE list (see citations above).
- Removal / banning records
- No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
- Seasonal / contextual tags
- Tagged for: book-club.