The hiding place
Robert Shaw
The hiding place
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Robert Shaw
The text is written at a 6th 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 would you do if you were trapped in a dark cellar, hidden away from a furious mob and dangerous soldiers? Two airmen, Wilson and Connolly, have been held captive by a kind but fearful guard, each day filled with hope and secret plans. But when their guard falls ill and must let them go, their true adventure begins—what will freedom feel like after so long in hiding?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction novel follows two British airmen held prisoner in a cellar during wartime, cared for by a conflicted guard. The story explores themes of captivity, hope, and resilience, with some tense moments appropriate for ages 9-12. Parents should note the historical setting involving wartime danger but will find the book handles these themes with sensitivity.
Why we rated The hiding place 11ME
The hiding place is written at a Level 6 reading level across 252 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hiding place works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The hiding place as 11ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The hiding place explores mystery, thriller & suspense, police procedurals, education & teaching, and schools & teaching — 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 mystery, thriller & suspense, police procedurals.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 070100374X
- Pages
- 252
- Publisher
- Chatto & Windus
- Published
- 1969
- Type
- Fiction