Single handed
Daniel M. Cohen
Single handed
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Inspiring True Story of Tibor "Teddy" Rubin, Holocaust Survivor, Korean War Hero, and Medal of Honor Recipient
by Daniel M. Cohen
The text is written at a 8th 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 does it take to survive the darkest times and become a hero? Imagine facing the horrors of the Holocaust and then fighting bravely in the Korean War. How did one boy's courage and strength lead him to earn the highest honor, but what challenges did he still have to overcome?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade biography tells the inspiring story of Tibor 'Teddy' Rubin, a Jewish child who survived the Holocaust and later became a decorated hero in the Korean War. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of survival, bravery, and historical hardship while providing important historical context. Parents should note the presence of Holocaust-related content, which is handled with care but may require discussion.
Why we rated Single handed 12IE
Single handed is written at a Level 8 reading level across 442 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Single handed works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Single handed as 12IE ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Holocaust Content, War Themes.
Thematically, Single handed explores biography, jewish history, holocaust, coming of age, and courage — 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 biography, jewish history, holocaust.
- ✓ 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
12IE — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780425279755
- Pages
- 442
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Nonfiction