Ballet shoes
Brand: Random House Books for Young Readers 2018
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- sisterhood
- perseverance
- ambition and dreams
- identity and self-discovery
- family and found family
- responsibility
- arts and performance
- independence
About this book
Ballet Shoes follows three orphaned sisters—Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil—who are determined to "make a name" for themselves after they enroll in a respected London stage and dance academy. Set in the 1930s, the story blends auditions, rehearsals, and schoolwork with warm family moments and gentle humor. Readers are drawn to the sisters’ distinct personalities and dreams, as well as the behind-the-scenes look at theater and ballet life. It’s a classic for middle-grade readers who enjoy stories about performing arts, ambition, and sisterhood.
Setting: London, 1930s; stage and ballet schools; boarding house
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ballet shoes right for my child?
Yes — Ballet shoes is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.7, 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 sisterhood, perseverance, ambition and dreams.
How long does it take to read Ballet shoes?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Ballet shoes takes around 6.3h to finish. The book has 62,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Ballet shoes have an AR quiz?
Yes — Ballet shoes has an AR quiz available, worth 9 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 Ballet shoes?
Ballet shoes has an AR reading level of 5.7, 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.