This Is the Rope
A Story from the Great Migration
Penguin 2013
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- family
- migration
- heritage
- resilience
- hope
- community
- intergenerational bonds
- African American history
About this book
A young girl in South Carolina finds a simple rope that becomes a treasured thread through three generations of her family’s life. As the family joins the Great Migration north to New York City, the rope helps them move, play, and celebrate, symbolizing resilience and connection. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and James Ransome’s warm paintings gently introduce children to a key chapter of American history. Perfect for grades K–3, it invites family conversations about heritage, hope, and the ties that bind us.
Setting: South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York during the Great Migration (mid-20th century)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is This Is the Rope right for my child?
Yes — This Is the Rope is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.3, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include family, migration, heritage.
How long does it take to read This Is the Rope?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, This Is the Rope takes around 6m to finish. The book has 750 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does This Is the Rope have an AR quiz?
Yes — This Is the Rope has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 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 This Is the Rope?
This Is the Rope has an AR reading level of 3.3, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — 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.