book

I SURVIVED

Name: I SURVIVED
Author: Lauren Tarshis

Lauren Tarshis

Youngsters' tales of living through dangerous historical events. (Ages 9 to 11)

Ages 9+Source checked

Why this age? Middle-grade historical fiction includes peril, disasters, violence, and occasional death or grief, but generally uses accessible prose and avoids graphic sexual content or gore. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age9+

Strongest cautions

Frightening scenes4/5
Death of a character3/5
Violence3/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience5/5
Educational value4/5
Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5

Why this rating?

Not designed to push specific commercial brands.

Death of a character3/5

Why this rating?

Historical tragedies can involve deaths, loss, and grief, though treatment is generally age-appropriate rather than graphic.

Graphic injury1/5

Why this rating?

Rarely shows graphic injuries; focuses more on the situation and emotional impact.

Romance1/5

Why this rating?

Romance is not a focus of these adventure-driven stories.

Frightening scenes4/5

Why this rating?

Stories place young characters in disasters, shipwrecks, fires, and war, creating repeated, serious danger and sustained tension, though the material is written for middle-grade readers.

Alcohol or drugs1/5

Why this rating?

No focus on substance use.

Violence3/5

Why this rating?

Installments depict historically based disasters, attacks, accidents, and survival danger, usually through a young protagonist's perspective.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5

Why this rating?

Facing fear and danger is central, with protagonists using bravery, judgment, and perseverance to survive.

Creativity & curiosity3/5

Why this rating?

Survival often requires practical problem-solving, adaptability, observation, and inventive use of limited resources.

Diverse representation2/5

Why this rating?

Installments feature protagonists from varied historical, cultural, geographic, and family contexts, though representation differs by book.

Educational value4/5

Why this rating?

Each story introduces readers to a real historical disaster or crisis through accessible narrative fiction.

Kindness & empathy3/5

Why this rating?

Characters commonly help family members, friends, strangers, and vulnerable people during crises.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

Themes include resilience, preparedness, empathy, cooperation, historical understanding, and learning from adversity.

Good role models4/5

Why this rating?

Young protagonists often show resourcefulness, responsibility, loyalty, and persistence while relying on others appropriately.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
Which choice in I SURVIVED would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in I SURVIVED, and what caused that change?

Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions