Coming Up For Air
By George Orwell Books Paperback
2020
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.8 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include Anxiety about impending war
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Genre
Themes
- Nostalgia and memory
- Disillusionment and midlife crisis
- Modernity vs. tradition
- Social change and class
- Anxiety about impending war
- Identity and self-deception
- Consumerism and conformity
- The passage of time and loss
About this book
Orwell’s pre–World War II novel follows George Bowling, a middle‑aged insurance salesman in 1930s England, who flees his stifling life to revisit the country town of his youth. Hoping to recapture an idyllic past, he instead confronts how modernity, looming war, and time itself have transformed everything. It’s a wry, reflective study of nostalgia, disillusionment, and social change.
Setting: Late 1930s England—London and the fictional town of Lower Binfield (Oxfordshire)—on the eve of World War II
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coming Up For Air right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Coming Up For Air. The reading level is AR 6.8, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include Nostalgia and memory, Disillusionment and midlife crisis, Modernity vs. tradition.
How long does it take to read Coming Up For Air?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Coming Up For Air takes around 8.5h to finish. The book has 89,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Coming Up For Air have an AR quiz?
Yes — Coming Up For Air has an AR quiz available, worth 13 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 Coming Up For Air?
Coming Up For Air has an AR reading level of 6.8, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — 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.