Burning Secrets (Vortex Books)
Steve Brezenoff
Burning Secrets (Vortex Books)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Steve Brezenoff
Illustrated by Tou Vue
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if your family's past was hidden behind walls no one dared to enter? Two brothers and their mom uncover an old mansion filled with secrets, whispers, and mysteries waiting to be solved. But what will they find buried deep inside?
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows two brothers and their mother as they restore their great-uncle's old mansion, uncovering a mysterious family secret along the way. Suitable for ages 13 to 18, it blends elements of mystery, family dynamics, and Greek and Roman mythology. The story contains mild suspense and themes of family history without intense content.
Why we rated Burning Secrets (Vortex Books) 9LE
Burning Secrets (Vortex Books) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 105 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Burning Secrets (Vortex Books) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Burning Secrets (Vortex Books) 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, Burning Secrets (Vortex Books) explores mystery, family, adventure, and legends and myths — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
- 9781598898545
- Pages
- 105
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- September 2007
- Type
- Fiction