What reading level is The Upstairs Room?

The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The Upstairs Room appropriate for?

The Upstairs Room is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is The Upstairs Room?

The Upstairs Room is nonfiction — Jews.

Does The Upstairs Room have any content warnings?

The Upstairs Room has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The Upstairs Room?

The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss is 179 pages.

The Upstairs Room

Johanna Reiss

The Upstairs Room

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Johanna Reiss

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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

The creak of wooden floorboards echoes in a quiet, hidden room high above a bustling farm. A young girl clutches a small book, her heart pounding as she listens for any sign of danger outside. Every day in this secret place is a mix of fear, hope, and the longing for a world beyond these walls.

Themes

World War IIJewish HistorySurvivalFear & AnxietyFamily Historical

Quick Assessment

This historical fiction novel tells the story of a young Dutch Jewish girl who spends over two years hiding in an upstairs room during World War II. It explores themes of fear, survival, and resilience amid the German occupation of the Netherlands. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story provides a sensitive and age-appropriate portrayal of war and its impact on children.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9ME — Moderate — Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Light

Social

Moderate

Thematic

Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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The Upstairs Room

Johanna Reiss