When I Was Your Age, Volume One
Original Stories About Growing Up
by Amy Ehrlich
Candlewick Press 2015
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- growing up
- family
- identity
- memory
- resilience
- culture and heritage
- creativity
- friendship
About this book
This collection brings together ten celebrated authors who share vivid, true stories from their own childhoods. Each piece offers a window into growing up—family moments, big feelings, and small turning points—along with notes on how those memories shaped them as writers. The voices and styles vary, making it a great pick for classrooms and budding writers to see how real life becomes story. Readers enjoy the honesty, humor, and relatable snapshots of life from favorite authors.
Setting: Various real-world childhood settings across the mid-20th century to late 20th century, primarily in the United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Is When I Was Your Age, Volume One right for my child?
Yes — When I Was Your Age, Volume One 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 growing up, family, identity.
How long does it take to read When I Was Your Age, Volume One?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, When I Was Your Age, Volume One takes around 4.8h to finish. The book has 48,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does When I Was Your Age, Volume One have an AR quiz?
Yes — When I Was Your Age, Volume One has an AR quiz available, worth 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 When I Was Your Age, Volume One?
When I Was Your Age, Volume One 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.