Flash
Michael Cadnum
Flash
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Michael Cadnum
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
Sirens blare and footsteps pound as two brothers scramble, clutching stolen cash. Terrence, who can't see well but can hear everything, catches their secret. Suddenly, Nina's brother grabs a gun—what will happen next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Flash is a middle-grade novel about two brothers involved in a failed bank robbery and the tense consequences that follow. The story explores themes of crime, fear, and the ripple effects of choices through multiple perspectives, including that of a legally blind neighbor. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains moderate tension but no graphic violence.
Why we rated Flash 11ME
Flash is written at a Level 6 reading level across 235 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Flash works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Flash 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Flash explores adventure, friendship, family, mystery, and crime — 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 adventure, friendship, 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.
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
- 9780374399115
- Pages
- 235
- Publisher
- Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction