Guns
Evan Hunter
Guns
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a novel
by Evan Hunter
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Sirens wail as Colley Donato bursts into the liquor store, heart pounding and danger close behind. Bullets fly and a policeman falls, but Colley’s escape is far from over. Will his dubious friends be enough to keep him safe, or is the chase just beginning?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Colley Donato, who becomes involved in a serious crime after a robbery that results in a police officer’s death. The story explores themes of crime, consequences, and choices, set within a fictional police precinct. Parents should be aware of the depiction of violence and the gravity of the subject matter, suitable for readers aged 9-12 who can handle intense themes.
Why we rated Guns 11IP
Guns is written at a Level 6 reading level across 213 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Guns works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Guns as 11IP ("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, Death.
Thematically, Guns explores mystery, crime, police, friendship, and consequences — 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 mystery, crime, police.
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.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IP — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780394406794
- Pages
- 213
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction