Finding Lubchenko
Simmons, Michael
Finding Lubchenko
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Simmons, Michael
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Evan's father is accused of a terrible crime he didn't commit. With a stolen laptop full of clues, Evan and his friends race from Seattle all the way to Paris to uncover the truth—but that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Evan, a high school junior who embarks on an international adventure to clear his father's name from serious accusations involving murder and bioterrorism. While the story contains suspenseful themes appropriate for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of the mature topics handled in a way suitable for this audience.
Why we rated Finding Lubchenko 11ME
Finding Lubchenko is written at a Level 6 reading level across 280 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Finding Lubchenko works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Finding Lubchenko 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: Murder, Bioterrorism.
Thematically, Finding Lubchenko explores mystery, adventure, family, 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, adventure, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
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
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
- 9781595140210
- Pages
- 280
- Publisher
- Razorbill
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction