1970s books assigned in 5th grade
US schools assign 34 books written in the 1970s to 5th grade students, across 17 states, spanning 470L–920L. Every title below is cited from a state ELA standard, district reading list, or AP/IB syllabus.
- Titles
- 34
- Written
- 1970–1979
- Lexile range
- 470L–920L
- States assigning
- 17
The list — 1970s, 5th grade
Reading the whole 1970s 5th grade reading list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.
Listen free on Audiblestarts instantlyNew members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
Rather listen? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.
Listen free on Audiblestarts instantlyNew members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.
- A Gathering of DaysJoan W. Blos
- A Wizard of EarthseaUrsula K. Le Guin
All the Money in the WorldBill Brittain
Alvin's Swap ShopClifford B. Hicks- Anno's Counting BookMitsumasa Anno
Are You There God? It's Me, MargaretJudy Blume
Banana TwistFlorence Parry Heide
BlubberJudy Blume
Bridge to TerabithiaKatherine Paterson · 810L
Charlie and the Great Glass ElevatorRoald Dahl- Child of the OwlLaurence Yep
Freaky FridayMary Rodgers
How to Eat Fried WormsThomas Rockwell
Jonathan Livingston SeagullRichard Bach- Julie of the WolvesJean Craighead George
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMHRobert C. O'Brien · 790L
My Robot BuddyAlfred Slote
Ramona and Her FatherBeverly Cleary
Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryMildred D. Taylor · 920L
Runaway RalphBeverly Cleary
Summer of the MonkeysWilson Rawls
Tales of a Fourth Grade NothingJudy Blume · 470L
The Cat Ate My GymsuitPaula Danziger
The Ghost on Saturday NightSid Fleischman
Show all 34 titles
- The Girl who Cried Flowers, and Other Tales · Jane Yolen
- The Grey King · Susan Cooper
- The Pinballs · Betsy Cromer Byars
- The Road from Home · David Kherdian
- The Slave Dancer · Paula Fox
- The Summer of the Swans Novel Units Teacher Guide · Betsy Cromer Byars
- The Trumpet of the Swan · E.B. White
- The Westing Game · Ellen Raskin
- Tuck Everlasting · Natalie Babbitt
- Voyaging to Cathay · Alfred H. Tamarin
Most-assigned 1970s authors in 5th grade
Judy Blume (3) · Beverly Cleary (2) · Betsy Cromer Byars (2) · Bill Brittain · Mitsumasa Anno · Katherine Paterson
Common questions
- How many 1970s books are assigned in 5th grade?
- 34 books written between 1970 and 1979 appear on 5th grade reading lists tracked by ReadingList. Each one is cited from a state department of education, district list, or AP/IB syllabus.
- What Lexile range do these 1970s books cover?
- Lexile measures for the 1970s titles assigned in 5th grade run from 470L to 920L. Poetry, drama, and graphic novels without a published Lexile measure are not counted in that range.
- Are these assigned nationally or in a few states?
- 17 states assign at least one 1970s title at 5th grade in the lists tracked here, so this is a broad pattern rather than a single state's canon. Per-state lists are on each state page.