Over the highest mountains
Alice Resch Synnestvedt
Over the highest mountains
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Memoir of Unexpected Heroism in France During World War II
by Alice Resch Synnestvedt
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 found yourself helping families escape danger during a terrible war? Imagine crossing the highest mountains to guide children and refugees to safety while risking everything. Who will you trust when the world feels so uncertain?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade historical fiction novel recounts the courageous efforts of Alice Resch Synnestvedt, who aided Jewish and other refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Written as a memoir for her deaf mother, it offers a sensitive portrayal of wartime rescue and the resilience of children, suitable for readers aged 9-12. The book thoughtfully addresses themes of war, displacement, and heroism without graphic detail.
Why we rated Over the highest mountains 11ME
Over the highest mountains is written at a Level 6 reading level across 268 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Over the highest mountains works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Over the highest mountains 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, social complexity — 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, Over the highest mountains explores historical, war & conflict, refugees, rescue, and family — 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 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, war & conflict, refugees.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780964804265
- Pages
- 268
- Publisher
- Intentional Productions
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Nonfiction