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Alice Whipple

Adams Coudert

Cover of Alice Whipple

Alice Whipple

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Fifth Grade Detective

by Adams Coudert

Reading Level 4-5 9LP 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.

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About This Book

Alice Whipple is no ordinary kid—she uncovers secrets adults try to hide. When she tells everyone about the art teacher’s secret smuggling ring, nobody believes her. But what if Alice is the only one brave enough to bring the truth to light?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction book follows Alice Whipple, a determined child who discovers her art teacher's involvement in an international smuggling ring. It explores themes of courage and truth-telling, suitable for ages 9-12, with content appropriate for middle-grade readers. Parents should note the story includes elements of crime and deception but handles them in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated Alice Whipple 9LP

Alice Whipple is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 102 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Alice Whipple works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Alice Whipple as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Alice Whipple explores adventure, mystery, and friendship — 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

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

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril
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

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Details

Book Length

102 pages
ISBN
9780317641974
Pages
102
Publisher
Bantam Books (Mm)
Published
June 1987
Type
Fiction

Genres