Chase
Linwood Barclay
Chase
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Linwood Barclay
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
Here's a secret: Chipper isn’t just any dog—he’s part machine, part mutt, and part mystery locked inside a secret lab. When he breaks free, he’s not the only one running—twelve-year-old Jeff is chasing a chance to change everything. But escaping is just the start.
Quick Assessment
Chase is a thrilling middle-grade mystery about a genetically enhanced dog named Chipper who escapes from a secretive research institute and crosses paths with a lonely orphan boy named Jeff. Together, they face danger and uncover secrets, blending suspense with themes of friendship and courage. Suitable for ages 9-12, this book contains mild peril appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Chase 11LE
Chase is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chase works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Chase as 11LE ("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, Chase explores friendship, adventure, and mystery — 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 friendship, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781510102194
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Orion Children's
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction