One of the survivors
Susan Shaw
One of the survivors
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Shaw
The text is written at a 4th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The sharp smell of smoke fills the air, and the crackle of flames echoes through the school halls. Joey is the only one who stood up and ran when the fire alarm rang, while the others stayed behind. Now, surrounded by silence and sorrow, he carries the weight of being one of the survivors.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the emotional aftermath of a tragic school fire through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Joey, who struggles with grief, anger, and guilt as he copes with surviving when many classmates did not. The story sensitively addresses themes of loss and trauma, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who can handle serious emotional content. Parents should be aware that the book deals with heavy topics such as death and survivor's guilt but offers a thoughtful perspective on healing and acceptance.
Why we rated One of the survivors 9IE
One of the survivors is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 199 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, One of the survivors works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate One of the survivors as 9IE ("Intense — 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, thematic difficulty — 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, One of the survivors explores grief, anger, survivor's guilt, family, 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.
- ✓ 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 grief, anger, survivor's guilt.
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
9IE — Intense — 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
One of us
Jeannie Waudby
One of us
Jeannie Waudby
The survivor
James Herbert
The survivor
James Herbert
One of us
Anne E. Schraff
One of us
Anne E. Schraff
Survivors Collection
Kathleen Duey
Survivors Collection
Kathleen Duey
I Survived: True Stories
Lauren Tarshis
I Survived: True Stories
Lauren Tarshis
One Moment
Kristina McBride
One Moment
Kristina McBride
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416963899
- Pages
- 199
- Publisher
- Margaret K. McElderry Books
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction