Louisiana's Way Home
Candlewick Press 2018
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- identity
- family and belonging
- resilience
- friendship
- found family
- truth and secrets
- hope
- independence
About this book
When Louisiana Elefante is whisked away in the middle of the night by her unpredictable granny, she finds herself in a small Georgia town trying to make sense of family secrets and her own future. Told in Louisiana’s honest, funny voice, the story follows her search for belonging, kindness, and courage. Short chapters, quirky characters, and big heart make this an inviting read for upper elementary and middle-grade readers. Kids love its humor and hope, and the way it celebrates choosing who you want to be.
Setting: small-town Georgia, 1970s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana's Way Home right for my child?
Yes — Louisiana's Way Home is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.5, 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 identity, family and belonging, resilience.
How long does it take to read Louisiana's Way Home?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Louisiana's Way Home takes around 4.2h to finish. The book has 38,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Louisiana's Way Home have an AR quiz?
Yes — Louisiana's Way Home 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 Louisiana's Way Home?
Louisiana's Way Home has an AR reading level of 4.5, 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.