Lives Turned Upside Down
Homeless Children in Their Own Words and Photographs
by Jim Hubbard
Simon and Schuster 1996
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- homelessness
- resilience
- family
- poverty
- empathy
- hope
- social justice
- community
About this book
Four children, ages nine to twelve, share their own stories of homelessness through first-person narratives and powerful photographs. Short chapters and candid voices help readers understand daily life in shelters, school challenges, and the strength families show in hard times. This accessible nonfiction photo-essay is ideal for discussion and builds empathy without sensationalizing. A strong choice for social studies units and for readers who like true stories.
Setting: urban shelters in the United States, 1990s
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lives Turned Upside Down right for my child?
Yes — Lives Turned Upside Down is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.6, 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 homelessness, resilience, family.
How long does it take to read Lives Turned Upside Down?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Lives Turned Upside Down takes around 18m to finish. The book has 3,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Lives Turned Upside Down have an AR quiz?
Yes — Lives Turned Upside Down 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 Lives Turned Upside Down?
Lives Turned Upside Down has an AR reading level of 5.6, 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.