Hacking and Freedom of Information
Marcia Amidon Leusted
Hacking and Freedom of Information
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marcia Amidon Leusted
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
What if the secrets you uncover could change everything you believe about fairness and truth? Imagine diving into a world where hackers aren’t just villains or heroes but something in between. Can breaking into places online ever be the right thing to do, or does it cross a line?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the complex world of hacking, focusing on the ethical debates surrounding freedom of information and cyber activism. Suitable for ages 9-12, it presents multiple viewpoints on controversial issues like privacy, security, and digital justice without offering simple answers. Parents should be aware that the book discusses computer crimes and cyberattacks in a nuanced way that encourages critical thinking.
Why we rated Hacking and Freedom of Information 11MS
Hacking and Freedom of Information is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hacking and Freedom of Information works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Hacking and Freedom of Information as 11MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from social complexity, 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, Hacking and Freedom of Information explores crime, juvenile literature, social justice, and science & nature — 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 crime, juvenile literature, social justice.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MS — Moderate — SocialReal 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
1/10A 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
- 9781534501782
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Greenhaven Publishing
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction