September 17
Amanda West Lewis
September 17
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Amanda West Lewis
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if you were one of ninety children sent away from home during a war, sailing on a grand ship that suddenly faces a terrifying attack? Imagine the roar of the ocean, the shock of the explosion, and the fight to survive against all odds. Would you find courage in the chaos, or would the sea claim you first?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel recounts the harrowing true event of the City of Benares sinking during World War II, focusing on the secret evacuation of British children to Canada. Suitable for teens, it depicts wartime dangers and survival challenges with sensitivity but includes scenes of peril and loss. Parents should be aware of themes involving wartime violence and emotional distress.
Why we rated September 17 12ME
September 17 is written at a Level 7 reading level across 313 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, September 17 works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate September 17 as 12ME ("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: Wartime Danger, Emotional Distress.
Thematically, September 17 explores historical, action & adventure, survival, and war & conflict — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, action & adventure, survival.
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
12ME — Moderate — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780889955073
- Pages
- 313
- Publisher
- Red Deer Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction