Pacific Crossing
by Gary Soto, Carmen Corona Del Conde
Alfaguara Infantil 1992
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- cross-cultural understanding
- friendship
- identity and belonging
- respect
- perseverance
- family
- travel and exchange programs
- sports and discipline (karate)
About this book
Lincoln Mendoza, a Mexican American eighth grader and devoted karate student, travels to Japan on a summer exchange program. Living with a host family, he navigates language barriers, new customs, and the challenge of proving himself both on and off the dojo floor. Along the way he discovers surprising connections between cultures and learns what it means to show respect, courage, and humility. A fast, relatable read for middle graders who enjoy sports, travel, and stories about finding your place.
Setting: contemporary Japan and California
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Crossing right for my child?
Yes — Pacific Crossing is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.8, 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 cross-cultural understanding, friendship, identity and belonging.
How long does it take to read Pacific Crossing?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Pacific Crossing takes around 3.9h to finish. The book has 35,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Pacific Crossing have an AR quiz?
Yes — Pacific Crossing has an AR quiz available, worth 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 Pacific Crossing?
Pacific Crossing has an AR reading level of 4.8, 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.