Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Simon's escape
Bonnie Pryor
Simon's escape
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Story of the Holocaust
by Bonnie Pryor
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.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of smoke fills the air as Simon hears the heavy boots pounding outside his window. His heart races in the silence that follows—a silence full of fear and hope. In a world turned upside down, Simon must find courage he never knew he had.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade historical fiction follows Simon, a young Polish Jew forced into the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust. After his family is taken away, Simon escapes to survive in the countryside, offering young readers a sensitive introduction to this difficult history, supplemented with factual information. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book handles themes of war and survival with care and historical accuracy.
Why we rated Simon's escape 9ME
Simon's escape is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Simon's escape works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Simon's escape as 9ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: War & Conflict, Poverty & Hardship.
Thematically, Simon's escape explores historical, survival, family, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Family book clubs, classroom read-alouds, and parents who want a strong conversation hook.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, survival, family.
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
9ME — 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
7/10Rich themes that spark meaningful family conversation. Great for book clubs and read-alouds.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780766033887
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- Enslow Publishing, LLC
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction