Codename
Amanda Brice
Codename
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Dani Spevak Mystery
by Amanda Brice
The text is written at a 4th 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
The sharp click of dance shoes echoes across the polished floor as Dani steps onto the stage, heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. The scent of polished wood and the shimmer of stage lights fill the air as she partners with teen idol Nick Galliano, spinning into a whirlwind of dance and mystery. Just when the music and magic seem unstoppable, danger lurks backstage—can Dani keep dancing and uncover the secrets before the final curtain falls?
Quick Assessment
Codename is a middle-grade mystery novel centered on Dani Spevak, a young ballerina who competes on a popular teen dance show filmed at her boarding school. The story features themes of friendship, young romance, and suspense, with some mild peril including sabotage and danger that are suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the book contains light romantic elements and mystery-driven tension, but no graphic content.
Why we rated Codename 9LE
Codename is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 138 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Codename works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Codename 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, Codename explores friendship, coming of age, family, romance, 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, coming of age, family.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781461184010
- Pages
- 138
- Publisher
- Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction