The Flag With Fifty-six Stars
Susan Goldman Rubin
The Flag With Fifty-six Stars
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Gift from the Survivors of Mauthausen
by Susan Goldman Rubin
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of old fabric fills the air as tiny hands stitch together scraps of cloth in secret. Imagine a flag, made from hope and courage, waving where it’s least expected. This is a story about bravery and the strength to never give up, even in the darkest places.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This nonfiction picture book recounts the remarkable story of prisoners at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp who secretly sewed a U.S. flag with an extra row of stars, symbolizing hope and resilience during World War II. With detailed illustrations and historical notes, it sensitively introduces young readers (ages 5-8) to a complex topic in an age-appropriate manner, though parents should be aware of the Holocaust context. It serves as a powerful tribute to human spirit and perseverance.
Why we rated The Flag With Fifty-six Stars 7ME
The Flag With Fifty-six Stars is written at a Level 2 reading level across 40 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Flag With Fifty-six Stars works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The Flag With Fifty-six Stars as 7ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Holocaust.
Thematically, The Flag With Fifty-six Stars explores history, survival, humanity, and juvenile nonfiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about history, survival, humanity.
- ✓ 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
7ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780823420193
- Pages
- 40
- Publisher
- Holiday House
- Published
- March 15, 2006
- Type
- Nonfiction