Found
Harlan Coben
Found
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Harlan Coben
The text is written at a 7th 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
What if the biggest mystery isn't just about missing friends, but about the secrets hidden in your own family? Mickey Bolitar is juggling school troubles, a missing online boyfriend, and a dangerous shelter that holds more secrets than anyone expected. Can he uncover the truth before it changes everything?
Quick Assessment
Found follows Mickey Bolitar as he navigates middle school challenges while uncovering dark family secrets and investigating a missing person case. Suitable for ages 9-12, this middle-grade mystery includes themes of loss, friendship, and danger, with some tense situations that may require parental guidance. The story balances suspense with relatable adolescent experiences.
Why we rated Found 12ME
Found is written at a Level 7 reading level across 326 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Found works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Found as 12ME ("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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Loss & Grief, Mild Peril.
Thematically, Found explores mystery, friendship, adventure, coming of age, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781409124528
- Pages
- 326
- Publisher
- Orion
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction