Black Potatoes
The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845–1850
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2014
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- survival
- resilience
- injustice
- poverty
- immigration and diaspora
- community and family
- government policy and responsibility
- hope
About this book
This Sibert Medal–winning nonfiction book tells the story of the Great Irish Famine (1845–1850) and how a mysterious potato blight upended everyday life across Ireland. Drawing on primary sources, photographs, and firsthand accounts, Bartoletti shows how families struggled to survive, make impossible choices, and, for many, emigrate in search of hope. Clear, compassionate writing makes complex history accessible to middle-grade and young teen readers. Kids who enjoy true stories and world history will be pulled in by the human voices behind the facts.
Setting: Ireland during the Great Famine, 1845–1850
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Potatoes right for my child?
Yes — Black Potatoes is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.3, which is typical for 6th 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 survival, resilience, injustice.
How long does it take to read Black Potatoes?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Black Potatoes takes around 2.9h to finish. The book has 30,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Black Potatoes have an AR quiz?
Yes — Black Potatoes has an AR quiz available, worth 5 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 Black Potatoes?
Black Potatoes has an AR reading level of 6.3, which places it at a 6th 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.