Away
Amy Bloom
Away
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Amy Bloom
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What would you do if you were the only one left from your family? Lillian Leyb arrives in a new land, hoping to start fresh, but then she hears a whisper—her daughter Sophie might still be alive. Now, she must journey across cities and continents, chasing a fragile hope against all odds.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows Lillian Leyb, a woman who escapes a tragic pogrom in Russia and arrives in America alone. When she learns her daughter may still be alive, Lillian embarks on a perilous journey from New York to Siberia. Suitable for middle-grade readers, the story explores themes of family, resilience, and the immigrant experience with an emotional but age-appropriate approach.
Why we rated Away 11ME
Away is written at a Level 6 reading level across 292 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Away works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Away as 11ME ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Away explores historical, family, women, and city life — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 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 historical, family, women.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781602851023
- Pages
- 292
- Publisher
- Center Point
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction