# The Polar Express (Read-Aloud)

**Author:** Chris Van Allsburg
**Grade range:** Grades K–3
**First published:** 1985
**Page count:** 36
**Genre:** Juvenile Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9780547626925`
**ISBN-10:** `0547626924`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-polar-express
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

The Polar Express is for all those—of any age—who believe, come Christmas Eve, that they too will hear the sweet sound of a reindeer’s silver bell. A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole . . . Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a barren desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the huge city standing alone at the top of the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. For millions of readers around the world, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved Christmas classic. The Polar Express is a Caldecott Medal winner, and reading the story together is a beloved holiday tradition held by generations of families. It has also become a favorite holiday movie and been translated into sta

## Where this book is assigned

### Caldecott Medal

- **recommended** · Kindergarten grade — [source: Caldecott Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1986 Caldecott Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldecott_Medal)
- **recommended** · 1st grade — [source: Caldecott Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1986 Caldecott Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldecott_Medal)
- **recommended** · 2nd grade — [source: Caldecott Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1986 Caldecott Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldecott_Medal)
- **recommended** · 3rd grade — [source: Caldecott Medal (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 1986 Caldecott Medal winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldecott_Medal)

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