What reading level is Away?

Away by Megan E. Freeman is at a Level 5-6 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

Away is fiction — Juvenile Fiction. Part of the Alone series.

How many pages is Away?

Away by Megan E. Freeman is 463 pages (approximately 31,798 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Away

Megan E. Freeman

Away

Q: What age is Away appropriate for?

Away is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Loss & Grief, Physical Danger, Fear & Anxiety, Ghosts, Animal Death, Stalking, Unconsciousness, Natural Bodies of Water.

Q: Does Away have any content warnings?

Away has a HootRating of 10ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Loss & Grief, Physical Danger, Fear & Anxiety, Ghosts, Animal Death, Stalking, Unconsciousness, Natural Bodies of Water. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Megan E. Freeman

Alone

Reading Level 5-6 10ME Ages 9-12 Matched Page-Turner

The text is written at a 5th 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

After a sudden evacuation, four children find themselves at the same camp where strange happenings spark their curiosity. Together, they unravel secrets surrounding the mysterious danger that forced everyone to leave their homes. Along the way, they face unexpected challenges and uncover truths about friendship and survival.

Themes

Friendship Adventure Mystery Survival Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include loss & grief, physical danger, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Away 10ME

Away is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 463 pages (approximately 31,798 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Away works for readers up to grade 7.4.

Read aloud, Away runs about 3.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Away as 10ME ("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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Loss & Grief, Physical Danger, Fear & Anxiety, Ghosts, Animal Death, Stalking, Unconsciousness, Natural Bodies of Water.

Thematically, Away explores friendship, adventure, mystery, survival, and coming of age — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, mystery.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.