Cover of The Paper Crane

The Paper Crane

by Molly Bang

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Assigned across 1 curriculum list

Grade placement varies by school — the median assigned book spans 4 grade levels (83% span three or more, across 13,258 source-cited assignments).

The Paper Crane by Molly Bang is assigned in US schools at grades k–1. 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 Paper Crane 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–1
Age range
Ages 5–6
Pages
32
Reading time
about 35 minutes (est.)
First published
1985
Genre
Fantasy
ISBN-13
9780395781562

New to these terms? Reading levels by grade

More formats & details

Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook

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About this book

A mysterious man enters a restaurant and pays for his dinner with a paper crane that magically comes alive and dances.

Similar grade-level books

See all books like The Paper Crane→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Why widely assigned

This Fantasy title, typically at grades k–1. Written in the 1980s; pairs with curriculum units on cranes (birds) and restaurants; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Themes

cranes (birds) · restaurants · origami · science fiction, fantasy, & magic

Where this book is assigned

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Common questions

What grade level is The Paper Crane?
The Paper Crane is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades K–1. 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 Paper Crane?
It takes about 35 minutes to read The Paper Crane (32 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 35 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.
What curricula assign The Paper Crane?
The Paper Crane appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is The Paper Crane banned in schools?
The Paper Crane 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 Paper Crane explore?
Central themes in The Paper Crane include cranes (birds), restaurants, origami, science fiction, fantasy, & magic. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.

Why this book is on this list

How we classify

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–1 — 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
No seasonal or program-specific tags on this book.

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