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I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 book cover

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871

by Lauren Tarshis

2015

Great fit for 4th grade

Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14

4th grade English Children's stories
96
Pages
1
AR Points
1.3h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Historical Fiction

Themes

  • survival
  • courage
  • resourcefulness
  • family
  • trust
  • friendship
  • disaster resilience

About this book

Eleven-year-old Oscar arrives in bustling Chicago and is quickly swept into danger when a thief steals his bag—just as a devastating fire ignites across the city. As flames spread and chaos grows, Oscar must make quick choices to stay safe and help others. Fast-paced chapters and historical detail bring the Great Chicago Fire to life for young readers. Perfect for kids who enjoy survival stories, action, and learning real history through an exciting tale.

Setting: Chicago, 1871 during the Great Chicago Fire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 right for my child?

Yes — I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.8, which is typical for 4th 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, courage, resourcefulness.

How long does it take to read I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871?

At a typical 4th grade reading pace, I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 takes around 1.3h to finish. The book has 12,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 have an AR quiz?

Yes — I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 has an AR quiz available, worth 1 point. 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 Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871?

I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 has an AR reading level of 4.8, which places it at a 4th 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.