I dream of trains
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 2003
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- dreams and aspirations
- hope
- heroism
- imagination
- perseverance
- African American history
- music and rhythm
- freedom
About this book
A young boy working in the cotton fields of Mississippi dreams of the powerful trains that thunder past and of the legendary engineer Casey Jones. The rhythm of the rails and the promise of faraway places spark his imagination and hope. Lyrical text and evocative art capture a moment in American history and a child’s longing for something more. It’s a gentle, inspiring read-aloud for young listeners who love trains and stories about big dreams.
Setting: rural Mississippi cotton fields along the Illinois Central Railroad, early 1900s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is I dream of trains right for my child?
Yes — I dream of trains is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.2, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include dreams and aspirations, hope, heroism.
How long does it take to read I dream of trains?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, I dream of trains takes around 6m to finish. The book has 800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does I dream of trains have an AR quiz?
Yes — I dream of trains has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 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 I dream of trains?
I dream of trains has an AR reading level of 3.2, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — 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.