Cry Danger (Hippo Mystery S.)
Anne Evans
Cry Danger (Hippo Mystery S.)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anne Evans
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
What if the thrilling adventure holiday you’ve been dreaming of suddenly turns into a real-life mystery? Sophie is excited for abseiling, canoeing, and rock-climbing, but something eerie is happening—she feels like someone is watching her. Could the dark secret of a missing girl from last year be about to happen again?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Sophie on an adventure holiday filled with outdoor activities and suspense. While appropriate for ages 9-12, the story contains mild suspense and themes of mystery surrounding a past disappearance, which might be intense for sensitive readers. It encourages bravery and problem-solving while exploring themes of safety and trust.
Why we rated Cry Danger (Hippo Mystery S.) 9LE
Cry Danger (Hippo Mystery S.) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cry Danger (Hippo Mystery S.) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Cry Danger (Hippo Mystery S.) 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Cry Danger (Hippo Mystery S.) explores mystery, adventure, friendship, and courage — 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 mystery, adventure, friendship.
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.
Content Flags
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
- 9780590131636
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Scholastic Hippo
- Published
- August 18, 1995
- Type
- Fiction