1960s books assigned in 5th grade
US schools assign 27 books written in the 1960s to 5th grade students, across 18 states, spanning 700L–1000L. Every title below is cited from a state ELA standard, district reading list, or AP/IB syllabus.
Most widely assigned from the 1960s
Where the Red Fern Grows
Wilson Rawls · on 5 reading lists
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- Titles
- 27
- Written
- 1960–1969
- Lexile range
- 700L–1000L
- States assigning
- 18
The list — 1960s, 5th grade
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A Wizard of EarthseaUrsula K. Le Guin
A Wrinkle in TimeMadeleine L'Engle · 740L- Big BenDavid Harry WalkerBig BenDavid Harry Walker
Bristle FaceZachary Ball
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryRoald Dahl · 810L
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. FrankweilerE.L. Konigsburg · 700L
Harriet the SpyLouise Fitzhugh- Henry Reed's Babysitting ServiceKeith RobertsonHenry Reed's Babysitting ServiceKeith Robertson
I, Juan de ParejaElizabeth Borton de Treviño
Island of the Blue DolphinsScott O'Dell · 1000L
It's Like This CatEmily Neville
James and the Giant PeachRoald Dahl · 870L
Martin Luther King Jr.: Man of PeaceLillie Patterson
RascalSterling North
RibsyBeverly Cleary
Sasha, My FriendBarbara Corcoran
Shadow of a BullMaia Wojciechowska
SounderWilliam H. Armstrong
Striped Ice CreamJoan M. Lexau- The Adventures of Paddy PorkJohn S. Goodall
- The Bronze BowElizabeth George SpeareThe Bronze BowElizabeth George Speare
The High KingLloyd Alexander
The Little FishesErik Christian Haugaard
The Spring RiderJohn Shults Lawson
Show all 27 titles
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- Tikki Tikki Tembo · Arlene Mosel
- Up a Road Slowly · Irene Hunt
- Where the Red Fern Grows · Wilson Rawls
Most-assigned 1960s authors in 5th grade
Roald Dahl (2) · Keith Robertson · Scott O'Dell · Beverly Cleary · Elizabeth George Speare · Lloyd Alexander
Common questions
- How many 1960s books are assigned in 5th grade?
- 27 books written between 1960 and 1969 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 1960s books cover?
- Lexile measures for the 1960s titles assigned in 5th grade run from 700L to 1000L. 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?
- 18 states assign at least one 1960s 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.