We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus)
Scholastic Inc. 2020
Great fit for 6th grade
Reading level and content both target 6th grade and up · ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- courage
- resilience
- family separation
- refugees and displacement
- antisemitism and prejudice
- hope
- kindness and community
- survival
About this book
This narrative nonfiction tells the true stories of Jewish children who escaped Nazi-controlled Europe on the Kindertransport just before World War II. Drawing on interviews, photographs, and primary sources, Deborah Hopkinson highlights the bravery of young people, the kindness of strangers, and the difficult choices families faced. Clear, accessible writing and thoughtful context make complex history understandable for middle-grade readers. It’s a powerful read for kids interested in World War II, resilience, and real-life heroism.
Setting: Nazi Germany and Great Britain, late 1930s to early World War II
Frequently Asked Questions
Is We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus) right for my child?
Yes — We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus) is a great fit for 6th grade. The reading level is AR 6.3, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include courage, resilience, family separation.
How long does it take to read We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus)?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus) takes around 5.5h to finish. The book has 58,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus) have an AR quiz?
Yes — We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus) has an AR quiz available, worth 8 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 We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus)?
We Had to Be Brave: Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport (Scholastic Focus) has an AR reading level of 6.3, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.