The Underground Railroad

About this book

Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hell for all the slaves, but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood—where even greater pain awaits. When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Matters do not go as planned—Cora kills a young white boy who tries to capture her. Though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted.

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See all books like The Underground Railroad→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Why widely assigned

This Historical Fiction title, typically at grades 11–12. Written in the 2000s; pairs with curriculum units on history and underground railroad; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Cambridge AS & A-Level English Literature (9695)

  • required·11th gradesource: Prescribed set text for Cambridge International AS & A Level Literature in English (9695), Paper 2 Section A (Prose), for examination in 2027. Transcribed from the official Cambridge International syllabus (721410-2027-2028-syllabus.pdf). Set texts rotate
  • required·12th gradesource: Prescribed set text for Cambridge International AS & A Level Literature in English (9695), Paper 2 Section A (Prose), for examination in 2027. Transcribed from the official Cambridge International syllabus (721410-2027-2028-syllabus.pdf). Set texts rotate

Common questions

What grade level is The Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 11–12. 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 Underground Railroad?

It takes about 6h 55m to read The Underground Railroad (378 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 415 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign The Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad appears on reading lists for Cambridge AS & A-Level English Literature (9695). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is The Underground Railroad banned in schools?

The Underground Railroad 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 Underground Railroad explore?

Central themes in The Underground Railroad include history, underground railroad, fugitive slaves, historical fiction. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.