Goldstrike
Matt Whyman
Goldstrike
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Thriller
by Matt Whyman
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What would you do if you were running from the government and had to break into a high-tech fortress? Imagine sneaking past deadly traps and outsmarting assassins to steal priceless treasures. Can a teenage hacker pull off the impossible without getting caught?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Goldstrike follows a teenage fugitive who uses hacking skills to infiltrate a highly secure facility while evading government agents and assassins. The story is packed with suspense and action, suitable for teens aged 13 and up. Parents should note the presence of crime, danger, and high-stakes adventure elements.
Why we rated Goldstrike 11ME
Goldstrike is written at a Level 6 reading level across 262 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Goldstrike works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Goldstrike 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Crime.
Thematically, Goldstrike explores adventure, mystery, law & crime, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, law & crime.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416995104
- Pages
- 262
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction