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 is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What would you do if your world suddenly changed overnight? Simon watches as soldiers march through his city, turning his home into a place of fear and danger. Can he find a way to stay safe when everything around him is falling apart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the Holocaust in 1939 Warsaw, this historical fiction follows Simon, a young Jewish boy forced into a ghetto and later living on the run under Nazi occupation. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the book sensitively explores difficult themes of war, loss, and survival, providing a child-friendly introduction to this tragic period. Parents should be aware that it contains depictions of violence and historical persecution, presented in a way suitable for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Simon's Escape 9IE
Simon's Escape is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 162 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 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Historical Violence, War Themes, Persecution.
Thematically, Simon's Escape explores historical, family, survival, world war ii, and jewish experience — 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 historical, family, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
Simon's escape
Bonnie Pryor
Simon's escape
Bonnie Pryor
I Survived the Nazi Invasion 1944
Lauren Tarshis
I Survived the Nazi Invasion 1944
Lauren Tarshis
Holocaust Escapees and Global Development
David Simon
Holocaust Escapees and Global Development
David Simon
Simon
Rosemary Sutcliff
Simon
Rosemary Sutcliff
Holocaust Escapees and Global Development
David Simon
Holocaust Escapees and Global Development
David Simon
Escape from War
James Riordan
Escape from War
James Riordan
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781464501494
- Pages
- 162
- Publisher
- Enslow Publishers, Inc.
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction