If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King
by Ellen Levine
Tandem Library 1986
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Themes include nonviolence
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Genre
Themes
- civil rights
- social justice
- equality
- activism
- courage
- community
- empathy
- nonviolence
About this book
In a clear question-and-answer format, this book explains what life was like for children and families during the Civil Rights Movement and how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired change. Readers learn about segregation, boycotts, marches, and everyday choices people faced in the 1950s and 1960s. Accessible text and engaging illustrations make complex history understandable for upper-elementary readers. Kids enjoy how the book speaks directly to their questions and shows how ordinary people, including young ones, helped make a difference.
Setting: United States, especially the South, during the Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King right for my child?
Yes — If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, 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 civil rights, social justice, equality.
How long does it take to read If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King takes around 41m to finish. The book has 6,800 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King have an AR quiz?
Yes — If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King 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 If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King?
If you lived at the time of Martin Luther King has an AR reading level of 5.2, 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.