Greed
Scott Bergstrom
Greed
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Scott Bergstrom
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What if escaping danger meant stepping into an even bigger trap? Gwen thought finding her dad was the end of the nightmare, but now she's the one being hunted. The chase is on, and every step could be her last.
Quick Assessment
This intense middle-grade thriller follows Gwen, a teenage girl who, after uncovering her father's secrets, becomes the target of dangerous men. The story contains themes of family, deception, and survival, with suspenseful and sometimes violent scenes suitable for ages 9-12 but best for mature readers within that group due to the high-stakes danger.
Why we rated Greed 12IP
Greed is written at a Level 8 reading level across 416 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Greed works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Greed as 12IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Danger.
Thematically, Greed explores family, adventure, survival, missing persons, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, adventure, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781250294524
- Pages
- 416
- Publisher
- Square Fish
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction