How it feels to fight for your life
Gollancz 1989
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- resilience
- courage
- illness and recovery
- family support
- hope
- empathy
- perseverance
- real-life challenges
About this book
In this powerful photo-essay, Jill Krementz interviews real children who are facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Through their voices and candid photographs, readers learn how kids cope with fear, treatment, and the ups and downs of recovery. The honest, hopeful stories build empathy and resilience, making it a strong choice for thoughtful middle-grade readers. Families and teachers value its straightforward approach and the way it opens conversation about courage and support.
Setting: various hospitals and homes across the United States, contemporary 1980s
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is How it feels to fight for your life right for my child?
Yes — How it feels to fight for your life is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.2, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include resilience, courage, illness and recovery.
How long does it take to read How it feels to fight for your life?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, How it feels to fight for your life takes around 2.7h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does How it feels to fight for your life have an AR quiz?
Yes — How it feels to fight for your life has an AR quiz available, worth 5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is How it feels to fight for your life?
How it feels to fight for your life has an AR reading level of 6.2, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.