Thin wood walls
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 2008
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- prejudice and discrimination
- family
- friendship
- resilience
- identity
- courage
- injustice
- hope
About this book
When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Japanese American sixth-grader Joe Hamada’s world in Washington state is turned upside down. His father is taken away, and Joe’s family is sent to an incarceration camp where thin barracks walls can’t keep out fear—or hope. Through journal entries and haiku, Joe holds tight to family, friendship, and dreams while confronting prejudice and uncertainty. This moving historical novel is ideal for middle-grade readers who like heartfelt, character-driven stories based on real events.
Setting: Washington state and Japanese American incarceration camps (Pacific Northwest/Idaho), 1941–1945
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thin wood walls right for my child?
Yes — Thin wood walls is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.6, 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 prejudice and discrimination, family, friendship.
How long does it take to read Thin wood walls?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Thin wood walls takes around 6.6h to finish. The book has 65,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Thin wood walls have an AR quiz?
Yes — Thin wood walls has an AR quiz available, worth 9 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 Thin wood walls?
Thin wood walls has an AR reading level of 5.6, 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.