Survive
Alex Morel
Survive
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alex Morel
The text is written at a 6th 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.
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About This Book
Jane clutches the pills tightly as the plane shakes above the endless forest. The roar of the engines drowns out her racing heart, but the wilderness waiting below holds secrets that might change everything. Suddenly, the plane hits turbulence—and Jane’s plan is thrown into chaos.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of survival and mental health through the story of Jane, a girl struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. After leaving an institution, she faces unexpected challenges following a plane crash in the wilderness. Suitable for ages 9-12, this book handles sensitive topics with care but may require parental guidance due to its portrayal of suicide and emotional distress.
Why we rated Survive 11IE
Survive is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Survive works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Survive 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicide, Depression, Aircraft accident.
Thematically, Survive explores survival, wilderness, mental health, juvenile fiction, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about survival, wilderness, mental health.
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.
- ! 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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781405264136
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Electric Monkey
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction