Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police

Name: Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police
Author: David A. Adler
ISBN: 015216474X

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by David A. Adler

Andy Russell

Reading Level 3-4 LP · Mild · Physical Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

Andy and Tamika take on the responsibility of watching their neighbor's home, but when mysterious events begin unfolding inside, no one believes their warnings—not even the police. Together, they must uncover the truth and prove they're not imagining things. This suspenseful tale invites young readers to join the adventure and solve the mystery alongside the kids.

Themes

Mystery and detective storiesNeighborsSchools

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 3-4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police LP (Mild)

Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 118 pages (approximately 16,012 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police runs about 1.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police as LP (Mild, mostly 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, Andy Russell, NOT wanted by the police explores mystery and detective stories, neighbors, and schools — 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.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery and detective stories, neighbors, schools.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 5 more books in the Andy Russell series.

Maybe not for

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

LP · Mild · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Mild ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.