Code of Honor
Alan Gratz
Code of Honor
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alan Gratz
The text is written at a 6th 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: Kamran’s own brother is suddenly called a terrorist. Now Kamran must crack hidden codes and follow secret clues to clear his brother’s name and stop a disaster. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This action-packed young adult novel follows Iranian-American Kamran as he races to prove his brother’s innocence after he is accused of terrorism. The story explores themes of family loyalty, justice, and cultural identity, suitable for teens 13 and up. Parents should note the intense subject matter involving terrorism and crime but will find a gripping narrative with strong moral questions.
Why we rated Code of Honor 11ME
Code of Honor is written at a Level 6 reading level across 278 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Code of Honor works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Code of Honor as 11ME ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Terrorism, Accusation of Crime.
Thematically, Code of Honor explores action & adventure, family, law & crime, and cultural identity — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about action & adventure, family, law & crime.
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
11ME — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545695190
- Pages
- 278
- Publisher
- Scholastic Incorporated
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction