HootRated mascot HootRated

Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7)

Leanne Lucas

Cover of Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7)

Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Leanne Lucas

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 secrets could be hiding underwater in the creek you know so well? Addie and Nick stumble upon an old metal box that no one has seen for years. But what's inside might change everything they thought they knew—can they unlock its mystery before time runs out?

Themes

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade mystery follows Addie McCormick and her friend Nick as they discover a hidden metal box underwater, leading them on a thrilling adventure. The story incorporates themes of friendship and Christian values while encouraging problem-solving and curiosity. Suitable for ages 9-12, the content is age-appropriate with light suspense and no concerning elements.

Why we rated Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7) 9LE

Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 164 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7) works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7) 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, Addie McCormick and the Secret of the Scarlet Box (Addie Mccormick Adventures, 7) explores mystery, friendship, christian life, and adventure — 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 mystery, friendship, christian life.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

164 pages
ISBN
9781565072305
Pages
164
Publisher
Harvest House Pub
Published
September 1994
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Christian LifeMystery and Detective Stories