Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Macmillan 2017
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 6th grade and up · ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- perseverance
- identity
- teamwork
- innovation in sports
- discrimination and injustice
- leadership
- cultural resilience
- underdogs
About this book
This fast-paced nonfiction tells the true story of Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School football team, who took on America’s biggest programs in the early 1900s. With inventive coaching and incredible athleticism, the team revolutionized the sport while facing prejudice and high expectations. Steve Sheinkin blends sports action with history and biography, making complex moments clear and compelling. Perfect for middle school and up, it hooks sports fans and history buffs alike without giving away every big moment.
Setting: Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Pennsylvania, and football fields across the eastern United States, early 1900s
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team right for my child?
Yes — Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.8, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include perseverance, identity, teamwork.
How long does it take to read Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team takes around 8.4h to finish. The book has 88,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team have an AR quiz?
Yes — Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team has an AR quiz available, worth 14 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 Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team?
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team has an AR reading level of 6.8, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.