Sisters of the war : two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria
Rania Abouzeid
Sisters of the war : two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rania Abouzeid
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), 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
War is not just about battles and soldiers—it’s about sisters who live through the chaos every single day. Imagine growing up where the sound of bombs is as normal as a bedtime story. These girls show us that even in the darkest times, hope can shine through.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult nonfiction book offers a powerful and empathetic look at the Syrian civil war through the eyes of two pairs of sisters from opposing sides of the conflict. Suitable for teens aged 13 and up, it sensitively explores themes of survival, displacement, and resilience amid war. Parents should note the depiction of war-related violence and its emotional impact, though the narrative remains accessible and informative.
Why we rated Sisters of the war : two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria 11IE
Sisters of the war : two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sisters of the war : two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Sisters of the war : two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria as 11IE ("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: War Violence, Displacement, Emotional Intensity.
Thematically, Sisters of the war : two remarkable true stories of survival and hope in Syria explores history, coming of age, family, social justice, and multicultural — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about history, coming of age, family.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — 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
11IE — 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
Sisters of the Sword
Maya Snow
Sisters of the Sword
Maya Snow
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini
True Teen Stories from Syria
Kristin Thiel
True Teen Stories from Syria
Kristin Thiel
War Brothers
Sharon E. McKay
War Brothers
Sharon E. McKay
A tale of two sisters
Lari Durnil
A tale of two sisters
Lari Durnil
Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict
Janie L. Leatherman
Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict
Janie L. Leatherman
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338551129
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Scholastic Focus
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Nonfiction