Among thieves
George Cuomo
Among thieves
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by George Cuomo
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: inside a prison, a riot breaks out, and nothing is as simple as it seems. People you think are heroes or villains might surprise you, but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Among Thieves is a middle-grade novel set in a prison during a riot, exploring complex themes of morality and society. The story features characters caught in difficult circumstances, including crime and violence, which might be intense for younger readers. Parents should note the book's mature setting and the sometimes dense narrative style.
Why we rated Among thieves 12ME
Among thieves is written at a Level 8 reading level across 480 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Among thieves works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Among thieves as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Crime, Moral Complexity.
Thematically, Among thieves explores crime, morality, prison life, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about crime, morality, prison life.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Thick As Thieves
James Butler
Thick As Thieves
James Butler
Amongst the Betrayed (Shadow Children)
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Amongst the Betrayed (Shadow Children)
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Betrayed
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Betrayed
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Crime
Craig Donnellan
Crime
Craig Donnellan
Theft.
Rachel Ingalls
Theft.
Rachel Ingalls
Among friends
Caroline B. Cooney
Among friends
Caroline B. Cooney
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0340109106
- Pages
- 480
- Publisher
- Garden City, N.Y : Doubleday
- Published
- 1969
- Type
- Fiction