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I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6)

Lauren Tarshis

Cover of I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6)

I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Lauren Tarshis

Reading Level 3 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

What if your favorite day suddenly turned into the scariest day of your life? Lucas loves football and his Uncle Benny, a firefighter who taught him all about the game. But when Lucas takes the train to visit Benny's firehouse, the city is about to face a huge, life-changing challenge.

Quick Assessment

This historical fiction novel follows Lucas, a young boy whose admiration for his firefighter uncle is tested on September 11, 2001. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it sensitively introduces themes of terrorism and survival without graphic details. Parents should know it handles a difficult real-life event with care, focusing on courage and hope.

Why we rated I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6) 8ME

I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6) is written at a Level 3 reading level across 82 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6) works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6) 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Terrorism, Survival.

Thematically, I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived #6) explores survival, family, historical, courage, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

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 survival, family, 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.

For Parents

Content Intensity

8ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Terrorism Survival
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
2
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
7
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

82 pages
ISBN
9780545442992
Pages
82
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Published
2012
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

New YorkTerrorismSurvival