Streams to the River, River to the Sea
A Novel of Sacagawea
by Scott O'Dell
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 1986
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- exploration and discovery
- survival
- courage
- resilience
- cultural identity
- family and motherhood
- freedom
- frontier life
About this book
Told from Sacagawea’s perspective, this historical novel follows a young Shoshone woman as she joins the Lewis and Clark expedition with her infant son and difficult husband. Along the journey west, she faces harsh landscapes, cultural clashes, and hard choices that test her courage and resilience. Scott O’Dell brings the era to life with rich detail and accessible prose. A strong choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy survival stories, adventure, and insight into early American history.
Setting: American West along the Lewis and Clark route (Missouri and Columbia Rivers) in the early 1800s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Streams to the River, River to the Sea right for my child?
Yes — Streams to the River, River to the Sea is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.3, 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 exploration and discovery, survival, courage.
How long does it take to read Streams to the River, River to the Sea?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Streams to the River, River to the Sea takes around 5.5h to finish. The book has 55,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Streams to the River, River to the Sea have an AR quiz?
Yes — Streams to the River, River to the Sea has an AR quiz available, worth 8 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 Streams to the River, River to the Sea?
Streams to the River, River to the Sea has an AR reading level of 5.3, 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.