The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3)
by C. S. Lewis
HarperCollins UK 2010
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- identity
- freedom
- courage
- friendship
- loyalty
- destiny
- good vs. evil
- adventure
About this book
Set during Narnia’s Golden Age, a boy named Shasta and a talking horse, Bree, make a daring escape from the land of Calormen toward freedom in the North. Their journey turns into a race across deserts and mountains as they uncover a looming threat and discover inner courage. With vivid world-building, humor, and memorable companions, this classic adventure appeals to confident elementary and middle-grade readers. Fans love the talking animals, epic travels, and themes of bravery and finding one’s place.
Setting: the deserts and cities of Calormen and the northern kingdoms of Archenland and Narnia during Narnia’s Golden Age
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3) right for my child?
Yes — The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3) is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.8, 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 identity, freedom, courage.
How long does it take to read The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3)?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3) takes around 6.0h to finish. The book has 59,600 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3) have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3) 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 The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3)?
The Horse and His Boy (Colour Version) (The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 3) has an AR reading level of 5.8, 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.