Lives and Times Books in Order
3 books by Jennifer Blizin Gillis. Reading level: Grades 3.8–3.9. Lower Grades (Ages 5–8).
Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Lives and Times (3 books by Jennifer Blizin Gillis) lands at reading level Grades 3.8–3.9, with average content intensity 1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series — a kid who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.
The reading-order table below lists every book with per-volume reading level and intensity badges so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.
Content Intensity Across the Series
ConsistentContent stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.
Lives and Times Reading Order
| # | Title | Reading Level | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edwin Binney Jennifer Blizin Gillis | Level 3-4 | Gentle |
| 2 | Madam C.J. Walker (Lives and Times (Des Plaines, Ill.).) Margaret C. Hall | Level 3-4 | Gentle |
| 3 | W. K. Kellogg (Lives and Times (Des Plaines, Ill.).) Tiffany Peterson | Level 3-4 | Gentle |
All Lives and Times Books
Edwin Binney
Jennifer Blizin Gillis
Edwin Binney
Jennifer Blizin Gillis
Madam C.J. Walker (Lives and Times (Des Plaines, Ill.).)
Margaret C. Hall
Madam C.J. Walker (Lives and Times (Des Plaines, Ill.).)
Margaret C. Hall
W. K. Kellogg (Lives and Times (Des Plaines, Ill.).)
Tiffany Peterson
W. K. Kellogg (Lives and Times (Des Plaines, Ill.).)
Tiffany Peterson
Questions about the Lives and Times series
- What reading level is the Lives and Times series?
- The Lives and Times series by Jennifer Blizin Gillis is at a Grades 3.8–3.9 reading level (average Grade 3.8). Intended for Lower Grades (Ages 5–8). There are 3 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Lives and Times books?
- The reading-order table above lists all 3 books with per-volume reading level and intensity ratings. Start with book 1 and read in publication order unless the table indicates a different recommended order for newer readers.
- What age is the Lives and Times series appropriate for?
- The Lives and Times series is recommended for Lower Grades (Ages 5–8). The average content intensity is 1/5. Check the intensity trajectory above to see whether content gets heavier across the series — if it does, sensitive readers may want to stop earlier in the run.