Where the Wild Things Are

About this book

Max, sent to bed without supper, sails to where the Wild Things are and is crowned their king. Sendak's 1964 Caldecott Medal winner is one of the most-taught picture books in K-2 ELA — over 20 million copies in print and a staple of state ELA Appendix B exemplar lists.

Why widely assigned

This Picture Book title, reads at middle-grade prose complexity, typically at grades k–3. Written in the 1960s; pairs with curriculum units on imagination and anger and tantrums; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Common Core State Standards (ELA)

  • recommended·Kindergarten gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B K-1 picture book exemplar (Caldecott Medal 1964)
  • recommended·1st gradesource: CES Academy — Grade-by-Grade Summer Reading List
  • recommended·1st gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B K-1 picture book exemplar
  • recommended·2nd gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B grades 2-3 read-aloud exemplar

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See all books like Where the Wild Things Are→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Common questions

What grade level is Where the Wild Things Are?

Where the Wild Things Are is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades K–3, with a Lexile measure of 740L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

What is the Lexile level of Where the Wild Things Are?

Where the Wild Things Are has a Lexile measure of 740L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.

How long does it take to read Where the Wild Things Are?

It takes about 55 minutes to read Where the Wild Things Are (48 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 55 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Where the Wild Things Are?

Where the Wild Things Are appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Where the Wild Things Are banned in schools?

Where the Wild Things Are 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.