Lily's crossing
Thorndike Press 1997
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Themes include war and the home front
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- honesty and lies
- courage
- war and the home front
- loss and grief
- family
- immigration and refugees
- empathy
About this book
Set on the New York coast in the summer of 1944, Lily loves the ocean, movies, and telling stories. When her best friend moves away and she meets Albert, a refugee from war-torn Europe, Lily begins to see how the war touches even their quiet beach town. Their growing friendship challenges her to think about truth, bravery, and what it means to help someone in need. A heartfelt historical tale for middle-grade readers who enjoy character-driven stories and rich sense of place.
Setting: Rockaway Beach, New York, summer 1944 during World War II
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lily's crossing right for my child?
Yes — Lily's crossing is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.6, 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 friendship, honesty and lies, courage.
How long does it take to read Lily's crossing?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Lily's crossing takes around 4.3h to finish. The book has 39,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Lily's crossing have an AR quiz?
Yes — Lily's crossing has an AR quiz available, worth 4 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 Lily's crossing?
Lily's crossing has an AR reading level of 4.6, 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.