Well, I read them in the second grade closing on 50 years ago, so I don’t think it’s impossible. This was back when absolutely nobody had heard of them, at least in this country. Got in trouble for reading them when I was supposed to be doing my Dick and Jane workbooks.
Gave a verbal book report to the 2nd grade class. Very confused teacher and students. LOL
Reading level of Lord of the Rings is far, far higher than anything even remotely connected to first or second grades.