# Books written in the 1970s, assigned in US schools

Post-Vietnam questioning; YA emerges as a marketed category; The Bluest Eye, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.

**97** books written between 1970 and 1979 that US schools assign across state ELA standards, AP/IB syllabi, and Common Core exemplar lists.

**Decade window:** 1970–1979
**Lexile range:** 330L–920L
**Grade span:** K–12
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/decade/1970s
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## Themes of the 1970s

- friendship (7)
- family (5)
- animals (4)
- courage (3)
- everyday life (3)
- growing up (3)
- humorous stories (3)
- identity (3)

## Authors writing in the 1970s

- Judy Blume (3)
- Arnold Lobel (2)
- Beverly Cleary (2)
- Bill Peet (2)
- Katherine Paterson (2)
- Laurence Yep (2)
- Mitsumasa Anno (2)
- Roald Dahl (2)

## Genres

- Realistic Fiction (21)
- Children's (14)
- Juvenile Fiction (9)
- Humor (7)
- Fantasy (4)
- Historical Fiction (4)
- Middle Grade Fiction (3)
- Mystery (3)

## The 1970s canon

- [A Story, a Story](https://readinglist.school/book/a-story-a-story) by Gail E. Haley _(Grades K–3 · pub 1970)_
- [Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret](https://readinglist.school/book/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret) by Judy Blume _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1970)_
- [Frog and Toad Are Friends](https://readinglist.school/book/frog-and-toad-are-friends) by Arnold Lobel _(350L · Grades 1–2 · pub 1970)_
- [I'm the King of the Castle](https://readinglist.school/book/im-the-king-of-the-castle) by Susan Hill _(Grades 9–10 · pub 1970)_
- [Runaway Ralph](https://readinglist.school/book/runaway-ralph) by Beverly Cleary _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1970)_
- [The Bluest Eye](https://readinglist.school/book/the-bluest-eye) by Toni Morrison _(920L · Grades 11–12 · pub 1970)_
- [The Summer of the Swans](https://readinglist.school/book/summer-of-the-swans) by Betsy Byars _(Grades 3–7 · pub 1970)_
- [The Trumpet of the Swan](https://readinglist.school/book/the-trumpet-of-the-swan) by E.B. White _(Grades 3–6 · pub 1970)_
- [Amos & Boris](https://readinglist.school/book/amos-boris) by William Steig _(Grades 2–3 · pub 1971)_
- [Harry Cat's Pet Puppy](https://readinglist.school/book/harry-cats-pet-puppy) by George Selden _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1971)_
- [How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head](https://readinglist.school/book/how-droofus-the-dragon-lost-his-head) by Bill Peet _(Grades K–3 · pub 1971)_
- [Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH](https://readinglist.school/book/mrs-frisby-and-the-rats-of-nimh) by Robert C. O'Brien _(790L · Grades 4–6 · pub 1971)_
- [One Fine Day](https://readinglist.school/book/one-fine-day) by Nonny Hogrogian _(Grades K–3 · pub 1971)_
- [The Headless Cupid](https://readinglist.school/book/the-headless-cupid) by Zilpha Keatley Snyder _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1971)_
- [Tristan And Iseult](https://readinglist.school/book/tristan-and-iseult) by Rosemary Sutcliff _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1971)_
- [Bless Me, Ultima](https://readinglist.school/book/bless-me-ultima) by Rudolfo Anaya _(840L · Grades 9–12 · pub 1972)_
- [Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator](https://readinglist.school/book/charlie-and-the-great-glass-elevator) by Roald Dahl _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1972)_
- [Dominic](https://readinglist.school/book/dominic) by William Steig _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1972)_
- [Freaky Friday](https://readinglist.school/book/freaky-friday) by Mary Rodgers _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1972)_
- [Frog and Toad Together](https://readinglist.school/book/frog-and-toad-together) by Arnold Lobel _(330L · Grades 1–2 · pub 1972)_
- [I Never Had It Made](https://readinglist.school/book/i-never-had-it-made) by Jackie Robinson _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1972)_
- [Julie of the Wolves](https://readinglist.school/book/julie-of-the-wolves) by Jean Craighead George _(Grades 3–7 · pub 1972)_
- [Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing](https://readinglist.school/book/tales-of-a-fourth-grade-nothing) by Judy Blume _(470L · Grades 2–5 · pub 1972)_
- [The Best Christmas Pageant Ever](https://readinglist.school/book/the-best-christmas-pageant-ever) by Barbara Robinson _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1972)_
- [The Butterfly](https://readinglist.school/book/the-butterfly) by Patricia Polacco _(Grades 3–6 · pub 1972)_
- [The Funny Little Woman](https://readinglist.school/book/the-funny-little-woman) by Arlene Mosel _(Grades K–3 · pub 1972)_
- [Watership Down](https://readinglist.school/book/watership-down) by Richard Adams _(Grades 9–12 · pub 1972)_
- [Bigfoot](https://readinglist.school/book/bigfoot) by Hal George Evarts _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1973)_
- [Duffy and the Devil](https://readinglist.school/book/duffy-and-the-devil) by Harve Zemach _(Grades K–3 · pub 1973)_
- [How to Eat Fried Worms](https://readinglist.school/book/how-to-eat-fried-worms) by Thomas Rockwell _(Grades 3–6 · pub 1973)_
- [Jonathan Livingston Seagull](https://readinglist.school/book/jonathan-livingston-seagull) by Richard Bach _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1973)_
- [Ray Charles](https://readinglist.school/book/ray-charles) by Sharon Bell Mathis _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1973)_
- [Summer of My German Soldier](https://readinglist.school/book/summer-of-my-german-soldier) by Bette Greene _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1973)_
- [The Dark Is Rising](https://readinglist.school/book/the-dark-is-rising) by Susan Cooper _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1973)_
- [The Great Brain Reforms](https://readinglist.school/book/the-great-brain-reforms) by John Dennis Fitzgerald _(Grades 4–7 · pub 1973)_
- [The Slave Dancer](https://readinglist.school/book/the-slave-dancer) by Paula Fox _(Grades 3–7 · pub 1973)_
- [Anno's Alphabet](https://readinglist.school/book/annos-alphabet) by Mitsumasa Anno _(Grades K–5 · pub 1974)_
- [Arrow to the Sun](https://readinglist.school/book/arrow-to-the-sun) by Gerald McDermott _(Grades K–3 · pub 1974)_
- [Blubber](https://readinglist.school/book/blubber) by Judy Blume _(Grades 4–7 · pub 1974)_
- [Collected Plays 2](https://readinglist.school/book/wole-soyinka-collected-plays-2) by Wole Soyinka _(Grades 11–12 · pub 1974)_
- [M.C. Higgins, the Great](https://readinglist.school/book/m-c-higgins-the-great) by Virginia Hamilton _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1974)_
- [The Cat Ate My Gymsuit](https://readinglist.school/book/the-cat-ate-my-gymsuit) by Paula Danziger _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1974)_
- [The Ghost on Saturday Night](https://readinglist.school/book/the-ghost-on-saturday-night) by Sid Fleischman _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1974)_
- [The Girl who Cried Flowers, and Other Tales](https://readinglist.school/book/the-girl-who-cried-flowers) by Jane Yolen _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1974)_
- [The Killer Angels](https://readinglist.school/book/the-killer-angels) by Michael Shaara _(Grades 9–10 · pub 1974)_
- [The Legend of Africania](https://readinglist.school/book/the-legend-of-africania) by Dorothy W. Robinson _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1974)_
- [Danny, the Champion of the World](https://readinglist.school/book/danny-the-champion-of-the-world) by Roald Dahl _(Grades 3–6 · pub 1975)_
- [Death and the King's Horseman](https://readinglist.school/book/death-and-the-kings-horseman) by Wole Soyinka _(Grades 11–12 · pub 1975)_
- [Dragonwings](https://readinglist.school/book/dragonwings) by Laurence Yep _(870L · Grades 6–8 · pub 1975)_
- [Duey's Tale](https://readinglist.school/book/dueys-tale) by Pearl Bailey _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1975)_
- [Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth](https://readinglist.school/book/little-rabbits-loose-tooth) by Lucy Bate _(Grades K–3 · pub 1975)_
- [My Robot Buddy](https://readinglist.school/book/my-robot-buddy) by Alfred Slote _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1975)_
- [The Great Christmas Kidnaping Caper](https://readinglist.school/book/the-great-christmas-kidnaping-caper) by Jean Van Leeuwen _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1975)_
- [The Grey King](https://readinglist.school/book/the-grey-king) by Susan Cooper _(Grades 3–7 · pub 1975)_
- [Tuck Everlasting](https://readinglist.school/book/tuck-everlasting) by Natalie Babbitt _(770L · Grades 4–7 · pub 1975)_
- [Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears](https://readinglist.school/book/why-mosquitoes-buzz-in-peoples-ears) by Verna Aardema _(Grades K–3 · pub 1975)_
- [Alvin's Swap Shop](https://readinglist.school/book/alvins-swap-shop) by Clifford B. Hicks _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1976)_
- [Ashanti to Zulu](https://readinglist.school/book/ashanti-to-zulu) by Margaret Musgrove _(Grades K–3 · pub 1976)_
- [Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp](https://readinglist.school/book/liza-lou-and-the-yeller-belly-swamp) by Mercer Mayer _(Grades K–3 · pub 1976)_
- [One More Flight](https://readinglist.school/book/one-more-flight) by Eve Bunting _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1976)_
- [Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry](https://readinglist.school/book/roll-of-thunder-hear-my-cry) by Mildred D. Taylor _(920L · Grades 6–8 · pub 1976)_
- [Summer of the Monkeys](https://readinglist.school/book/summer-of-the-monkeys) by Wilson Rawls _(Grades 4–7 · pub 1976)_
- [The Goof that Won the Pennant](https://readinglist.school/book/the-goof-that-won-the-pennant) by Jonah Kalb _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1976)_
- [The Story of Stevie Wonder](https://readinglist.school/book/the-story-of-stevie-wonder) by James Haskins _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1976)_
- [Voyaging to Cathay](https://readinglist.school/book/voyaging-to-cathay) by Alfred H. Tamarin _(Grades 4–10 · pub 1976)_
- [A Summer to Die](https://readinglist.school/book/a-summer-to-die) by Lois Lowry _(Grades 9–12 · pub 1977)_
- [Africa Dream](https://readinglist.school/book/africa-dream) by Eloise Greenfield _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1977)_
- [Big Bad Bruce](https://readinglist.school/book/big-bad-bruce) by Bill Peet _(Grades K–3 · pub 1977)_
- [Bridge to Terabithia](https://readinglist.school/book/bridge-to-terabithia) by Katherine Paterson _(810L · Grades 4–6 · pub 1977)_
- [Child of the Owl](https://readinglist.school/book/child-of-the-owl) by Laurence Yep _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1977)_
- [Don't Hurt Laurie](https://readinglist.school/book/dont-hurt-laurie) by Willo Davis Roberts _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1977)_
- [Fire on the Mountain](https://readinglist.school/book/fire-on-the-mountain) by Anita Desai _(Grades 9–10 · pub 1977)_
- [I Am the Cheese](https://readinglist.school/book/i-am-the-cheese) by Robert Cormier _(Grades 8–12 · pub 1977)_
- [Miss Nelson Is Missing](https://readinglist.school/book/miss-nelson-is-missing) by Harry Allard _(Grades K–3 · pub 1977)_
- [Noah's Ark](https://readinglist.school/book/noahs-ark) by Peter Spier _(Grades K–3 · pub 1977)_
- [Ramona and Her Father](https://readinglist.school/book/ramona-and-her-father) by Beverly Cleary _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1977)_
- [The Late Great Me](https://readinglist.school/book/the-late-great-me) by Sandra Scoppettone _(Grades 9–12 · pub 1977)_
- [The Pinballs](https://readinglist.school/book/the-pinballs) by Betsy Cromer Byars _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1977)_
- [And You Give Me a Pain, Elaine](https://readinglist.school/book/and-you-give-me-a-pain-elaine) by Stella Pevsner _(Grades 4–9 · pub 1978)_
- [Anno's Journey](https://readinglist.school/book/annos-journey) by Mitsumasa Anno _(Grades K–5 · pub 1978)_
- [Banana Twist](https://readinglist.school/book/banana-twist) by Florence Parry Heide _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1978)_
- [Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs](https://readinglist.school/book/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs) by Judi Barrett _(Grades K–3 · pub 1978)_
- [Escape to Freedom](https://readinglist.school/book/escape-to-freedom) by Ossie Davis _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1978)_
- [Pancakes for Breakfast](https://readinglist.school/book/pancakes-for-breakfast) by Tomie dePaola _(Grades K–1 · pub 1978)_
- [The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses](https://readinglist.school/book/the-girl-who-loved-wild-horses) by Paul Goble _(Grades K–3 · pub 1978)_
- [The Great Gilly Hopkins](https://readinglist.school/book/the-great-gilly-hopkins) by Katherine Paterson _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1978)_
- [The Treasure](https://readinglist.school/book/the-treasure) by Uri Shulevitz _(Grades 2–3 · pub 1978)_
- [The Westing Game](https://readinglist.school/book/the-westing-game) by Ellen Raskin _(750L · Grades 5–7 · pub 1978)_
- [A Gathering of Days](https://readinglist.school/book/a-gathering-of-days) by Joan W. Blos _(Grades 3–7 · pub 1979)_
- [All the Money in the World](https://readinglist.school/book/all-the-money-in-the-world) by Bill Brittain _(Grades 4–6 · pub 1979)_
- [Bunnicula](https://readinglist.school/book/bunnicula) by Deborah Howe _(Grades 3–6 · pub 1979)_
- [Cornrows](https://readinglist.school/book/cornrows) by Camille Yarbrough _(Grades K–3 · pub 1979)_
- [Help! I'm a Prisoner in the Library](https://readinglist.school/book/help-im-a-prisoner-in-the-library) by Eth Clifford _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1979)_
- [Ox-cart Man](https://readinglist.school/book/ox-cart-man) by Donald Hall _(Grades K–3 · pub 1979)_
- [The Garden of Abdul Gasazi](https://readinglist.school/book/the-garden-of-abdul-gasazi) by Chris Van Allsburg _(Grades K–5 · pub 1979)_
- [The Road from Home](https://readinglist.school/book/the-road-from-home) by David Kherdian _(Grades 4–10 · pub 1979)_
- [The Young Landlords](https://readinglist.school/book/the-young-landlords) by Walter Dean Myers _(Grades 4–8 · pub 1979)_

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