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Deadly secrets

M.C. Sumner

Cover of Deadly secrets

Deadly secrets

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by M.C. Sumner

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Noah and Harley dart through shadowy halls, their hearts pounding as they clutch a mysterious ancient book. Suddenly, a door creaks open behind them—someone’s coming! Can they keep the secret safe, or will everything be lost in a blink?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy mystery follows Noah and Harley as they uncover a powerful secret that many want to keep hidden. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story involves suspenseful moments and magical elements, with themes of friendship and courage. There is mild peril but nothing overly intense, making it appropriate for young readers who enjoy thrilling detective adventures.

Why we rated Deadly secrets 9LE

Deadly secrets is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 185 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Deadly secrets works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Deadly secrets 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, Deadly secrets explores mystery, fantasy world-building, adventure, and friendship — 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, fantasy world-building, adventure.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

185 pages
ISBN
9780671002442
Pages
185
Publisher
Simon Pulse
Published
1997
Type
Fiction

Genres

Davisidaro, Harley (Fictitious character)

Subjects

Mysteries & Detective StoriesFantasy & MagicHorrorNoah TemplerHarley Davisidaro