We Had to Be Brave
Deborah Hopkinson
We Had to Be Brave
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport
by Deborah Hopkinson
The text is written at a 7th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What would you do if you had to leave your family and home overnight to escape danger? Imagine being a child in Nazi Germany, where going to school could be risky and the world around you is changing fast. Now, picture boarding a train to a strange country, not knowing if you'll ever see your family again—what happens next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade narrative nonfiction book tells the true stories of Jewish children rescued by the Kindertransport during Nazi Germany's rise. It sensitively explores themes of displacement, family separation, and hope amidst the Holocaust, suitable for ages 9-12 with guidance. The book offers historical insight with personal survivor accounts, fostering empathy and critical thinking about this difficult period.
Why we rated We Had to Be Brave 12IE
We Had to Be Brave is written at a Level 7 reading level across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, We Had to Be Brave works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate We Had to Be Brave as 12IE ("Intense — 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Holocaust, Family Separation.
Thematically, We Had to Be Brave explores history, military & wars, social justice, family, and coming of age — 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 history, military & wars, social justice.
- ✓ 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
12IE — Intense — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
When Hitler stole Pink Rabbit
Judith Kerr
When Hitler stole Pink Rabbit
Judith Kerr
I Survived the Nazi Invasion 1944
Lauren Tarshis
I Survived the Nazi Invasion 1944
Lauren Tarshis
Hiding from the Nazis
David A. Adler
Hiding from the Nazis
David A. Adler
Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport
Emma Carlson Berne
Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport
Emma Carlson Berne
Saving Children from the Holocaust
Ann Byers
Saving Children from the Holocaust
Ann Byers
Flee the wolf
Marianne Schmeling
Flee the wolf
Marianne Schmeling
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338255737
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Nonfiction