We are witnesses
Jacob Boas
We are witnesses
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Five Diaries Of Teenagers Who Died In The Holocaust
by Jacob Boas
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
Some stories show the darkest times in history, but these five teenagers shine a light on human courage and hope. Their brave choices during the Holocaust prove that even in the worst moments, the best parts of people can still come through. Discover why their witness is a powerful reminder that courage matters.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade historical fiction book tells the personal narratives of five Jewish teenagers during the Holocaust, highlighting their experiences of hardship and resilience. Suitable for ages 9-12, it provides an accessible and sensitive portrayal of difficult historical events, emphasizing themes of courage and human spirit. Parents should be aware that it deals with serious topics related to World War II and the Holocaust, presented in a manner appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated We are witnesses 9ME
We are witnesses is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 196 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, We are witnesses works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate We are witnesses as 9ME ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, We are witnesses explores historical, coming of age, family, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, coming of age, family.
- ✓ 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
9ME — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780805037029
- Pages
- 196
- Publisher
- Henry Holt Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 1995
- Type
- Nonfiction