Blackstone
Derek Lambert
Blackstone
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Derek Lambert
The text is written at a 6th 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
What if you were a secret hero in the shadows of London’s darkest streets? Imagine being Edmund Blackstone, a brave Bow Street Runner who walks among thieves and villains, yet holds a secret respect for them. When Blackstone is chosen to protect the young princess, danger lurks close—especially when an attacker from his past appears!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade action-adventure novel follows Edmund Blackstone, a skilled and unconventional Bow Street Runner in 19th-century London. Charged with protecting the young Princess Alexandrina Victoria, Blackstone navigates danger, mystery, and his conflicted feelings toward the criminal world. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, the story includes mild peril and themes of courage and loyalty.
Why we rated Blackstone 11LP
Blackstone is written at a Level 6 reading level across 239 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Blackstone works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Blackstone as 11LP ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Blackstone explores adventure, historical, mystery, courage, 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, historical, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 081281570X
- Pages
- 239
- Publisher
- Stein and Day
- Published
- 1973
- Type
- Fiction