CHERUB: The Dealer
Robert Muchamore
CHERUB: The Dealer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Muchamore
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: James is not your average teenager—he's a CHERUB agent undercover in the dangerous world of drug dealers. Every step he takes could change everything, but that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This young adult thriller follows James, a teenage spy working undercover to bring down a powerful drug dealer. The book explores themes of adolescence and social issues while presenting moderate peril and suspense suitable for ages 13 and up. Parents should be aware of drug-related content and some intense moments typical of spy fiction.
Why we rated CHERUB: The Dealer 12ME
CHERUB: The Dealer is written at a Level 7 reading level across 309 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, CHERUB: The Dealer works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate CHERUB: The Dealer 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Substance Use, Mild Peril.
Thematically, CHERUB: The Dealer explores adventure, social justice, coming of age, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, social justice, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780689877803
- Pages
- 309
- Publisher
- Simon Pulse
- Published
- August 30, 2005
- Type
- Fiction