What reading level is A faraway island?

A faraway island by Annika Thor is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 680L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is A faraway island appropriate for?

A faraway island is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Displacement, War.

Does A faraway island have any content warnings?

A faraway island has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Displacement, War. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is A faraway island?

A faraway island by Annika Thor is 247 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

A faraway island

Annika Thor

A faraway island

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Annika Thor

Reading Level 3-4 8ME Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The salty breeze carries whispers from the sea, and the rocky shore crunches beneath tired feet. Two sisters find themselves on a faraway island, far from the home they once knew, surrounded by strange sounds and new faces. As the days stretch on, they wonder if their family will ever be whole again.

Themes

Family Coming of Age HistoricalJewish ExperienceSisters

Quick Assessment

Set during World War II, this touching story follows two young Jewish sisters sent from Austria to Sweden to escape Nazi persecution. While one sister adapts to her new life and language, the other struggles with loneliness and fear for their family’s safety. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, the book gently introduces themes of displacement, family separation, and resilience during difficult historical times.

Why we rated A faraway island 8ME

A faraway island is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 680L across 247 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A faraway island works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate A faraway island as 8ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Displacement, War.

Thematically, A faraway island explores family, coming of age, historical, jewish experience, and sisters — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, historical.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.