A disturbing influence
Patricia Miles
A disturbing influence
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patricia Miles
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if the summer before your 16th birthday held secrets that could change everything? Imagine uncovering a mystery with a rock festival, fake money, and a missing neighbor all tangled together. Can Andrew solve the puzzle before the truth slips away?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Andrew during the summer of his 16th birthday as he navigates questions about his future while becoming involved in a suspenseful mystery. The story includes themes of friendship, adventure, and problem-solving set in England, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note mild suspense and themes involving deception and disappearance.
Why we rated A disturbing influence 9LE
A disturbing influence is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A disturbing influence works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate A disturbing influence as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, A disturbing influence explores adventure, mystery, friendship, and england — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Bad Influence
Tamsin Winter
Bad Influence
Tamsin Winter
Menacing Manor
Kiersten White
Menacing Manor
Kiersten White
A dark corner.
Celia Dale
A dark corner.
Celia Dale
Mystery
Steck-Vaughn Company
Mystery
Steck-Vaughn Company
A stranger and afraid
Elizabeth Ferrars
A stranger and afraid
Elizabeth Ferrars
A Mysterious Journey
Geoffrey Lewis
A Mysterious Journey
Geoffrey Lewis
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0688419119
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction