And condors danced
Dell Pub. 1987
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- wildlife conservation
- coming of age
- family and belonging
- secrecy and trust
- courage
- community vs. outsiders
- ethics and responsibility
- respect for nature
About this book
Set in the rugged hills of California, this novel follows a young teen who stumbles into the secret world of endangered California condors and the people trying to protect them. As family tensions and small-town pressures rise, she learns when to speak up and when to keep a hard-won trust. Rich nature details and a slow-building mystery keep readers turning pages. Perfect for middle graders who love wildlife stories, real-world issues, and strong, thoughtful protagonists.
Setting: mountain canyons of California, 1980s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is And condors danced right for my child?
Yes — And condors danced is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.9, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include wildlife conservation, coming of age, family and belonging.
How long does it take to read And condors danced?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, And condors danced takes around 6.1h to finish. The book has 60,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does And condors danced have an AR quiz?
Yes — And condors danced has an AR quiz available, worth 8 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is And condors danced?
And condors danced has an AR reading level of 5.9, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.