1940s books assigned in 1st grade
US schools assign 11 books written in the 1940s to 1st grade students, across 2 states, spanning 730L–730L. Every title below is cited from a state ELA standard, district reading list, or AP/IB syllabus.
Most widely assigned from the 1940s
Make Way for Ducklings
Robert McCloskey · on 2 reading lists
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- Titles
- 11
- Written
- 1940–1949
- Lexile range
- 730L–730L
- States assigning
- 2
The list — 1940s, 1st grade
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Make Way for DucklingsRobert McCloskey · 730L
Many MoonsJames Thurber
Prayer for a ChildRachel Field
Song of the SwallowsLeo Politi
The Big SnowBerta and Elmer Hader
The Little HouseVirginia Lee Burton
The Little IslandMargaret Wise Brown
The Magic School Bus Inside the EarthJoanna Cole
The Rooster CrowsMaud Petersham
They Were Strong and GoodRobert Lawson
White Snow, Bright SnowAlvin Tresselt
Most-assigned 1940s authors in 1st grade
Robert McCloskey · Rachel Field · Margaret Wise Brown · Joanna Cole · Robert Lawson
Common questions
- How many 1940s books are assigned in 1st grade?
- 11 books written between 1940 and 1949 appear on 1st 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 1940s books cover?
- Lexile measures for the 1940s titles assigned in 1st grade run from 730L to 730L. 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?
- 2 states assign at least one 1940s title at 1st 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.