Refugee 87
Ele Fountain
Refugee 87
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ele Fountain
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
The sharp crack of gunfire shatters the quiet of Shif's village, mixing with the dusty scent of smoke and fear. Suddenly, everything he knows is gone, and he must leave behind his home, his friends, and the life he loves. As Shif journeys through unknown lands, he discovers courage and kindness in the most surprising places, but will hope be enough to carry him forward?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Refugee 87 tells the moving story of Shif, a young boy forced to flee his home due to political violence. Suitable for ages 9-12, this middle-grade novel sensitively explores themes of survival, friendship, and resilience amid hardship. Parents should note the depiction of war and displacement, presented with emotional depth but appropriate for the intended age group.
Why we rated Refugee 87 11IE
Refugee 87 is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Refugee 87 works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Refugee 87 as 11IE ("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, physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: War & Conflict, Physical Danger.
Thematically, Refugee 87 explores friendship, survival, refugees, family, and kindness — 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 friendship, survival, refugees.
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
11IE — Intense — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
- 9780316423014
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction