Flame
John Lutz
Flame
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by John Lutz
The text is written at a 6th 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 would you do if a car explosion hid a mystery no one expected? Detective Carver faces a puzzling case when a man claiming to be Bert Renway shows dental records that don’t match his story. Can Carver uncover the truth before more secrets blow up?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Flame is a middle-grade mystery novel centered on a detective's investigation into a suspicious car bombing and conflicting identities. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging introduction to crime and detective fiction without graphic content. Parents should note the story involves themes of mystery, investigation, and problem-solving.
Why we rated Flame 11LE
Flame is written at a Level 6 reading level across 260 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Flame works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Flame as 11LE ("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, Flame explores crime & mystery, mystery/suspense, detective fiction, and mystery fiction — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about crime & mystery, mystery/suspense, detective fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780805045673
- Pages
- 260
- Publisher
- Owl Books
- Published
- April 1996
- Type
- Fiction