1980s books assigned in 9th grade
US schools assign 38 books written in the 1980s to 9th grade students, across 5 states, spanning 870L–1020L. Every title below is cited from a state ELA standard, district reading list, or AP/IB syllabus.
Most widely assigned from the 1980s
Hatchet
Gary Paulsen · on 12 reading lists
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- Titles
- 38
- Written
- 1980–1989
- Lexile range
- 870L–1020L
- States assigning
- 5
The list — 1980s, 9th grade
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A Little FearPatricia Wrightson
A Sudden SilenceEve Bunting
After the Dancing DaysMargaret Rostkowski
Anthony BurnsVirginia Hamilton
Auks, Rocks, and the Odd DinosaurPeggy Thomson
Behind Barbed WireDaniel S. Davis
Chimney SweepsJames Cross Giblin
Conrad's WarAndrew Davies
Don't Look Behind YouLois Duncan
EvaPeter Dickinson
Freak the MightyW. R. Philbrick
HatchetGary Paulsen · 1020L
Interstellar PigWilliam Sleator
Izzy, Willy-NillyCynthia Voigt
Master Harold...and the BoysAthol Fugard
Maus: A Survivor's TaleArt Spiegelman
Night KitesM. E. Kerr
Panama CanalJudith St. George
Playing Beatie BowRuth Park
Poverty in AmericaMilton Meltzer
PursuitMichael French
Say Goodnight, GracieJulie Reece Deaver
Stranger with My FaceLois Duncan
Streams to the River, River to the SeaScott O'Dell
Show all 38 books (tap a title to open its page)
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Most-assigned 1980s authors in 9th grade
Eve Bunting (2) · Virginia Hamilton (2) · Lois Duncan (2) · James Cross Giblin · Gary Paulsen · William Sleator
Common questions
- How many 1980s books are assigned in 9th grade?
- 38 books written between 1980 and 1989 appear on 9th 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 1980s books cover?
- Lexile measures for the 1980s titles assigned in 9th grade run from 870L to 1020L. 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?
- 5 states assign at least one 1980s title at 9th 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.