Looking Back
A Book of Memories
by Lois Lowry
HarperCollins 1998
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 6th grade and up · ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- memory
- family
- identity
- creativity and the writing life
- resilience
- loss and healing
- growing up
- change and moving
About this book
Lois Lowry invites readers into her life through personal photographs and vivid snapshots of memory, showing how her childhood, family, and travels shaped the stories she would later write. Told in warm, reflective vignettes, this memoir connects real-life moments to themes found in her books. It’s an engaging pick for middle school readers curious about how authors find ideas and turn experiences into stories. Fans of The Giver or Number the Stars will enjoy seeing the real-world inspirations behind Lowry’s work.
Setting: mid-20th-century United States and abroad (military bases; Pennsylvania; Tokyo; later New England)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Looking Back right for my child?
Yes — Looking Back is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.1, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include memory, family, identity.
How long does it take to read Looking Back?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Looking Back takes around 3.9h to finish. The book has 41,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Looking Back have an AR quiz?
Yes — Looking Back has an AR quiz available, worth 6 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 Looking Back?
Looking Back has an AR reading level of 6.1, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.