Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Hangman's gold
Sneed B. Collard
Hangman's gold
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sneed B. Collard
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Twelve-year-old friends Slate and Daphne embark on a thrilling adventure to uncover hidden treasure from Montana's wild past while trying to solve the mystery of two missing masterpieces from a university museum. Their daring quest leads them through twists and turns as they race against time to catch art thieves and discover the legendary hangman's gold.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, mystery. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Hangman's gold 9LP
Hangman's gold is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 208 pages (approximately 38,382 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hangman's gold works for readers up to grade 6.6.
Read aloud, Hangman's gold runs about 4.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Hangman's gold as 9LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Mystery.
Thematically, Hangman's gold explores adventure, mystery, friendship, and historical — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, friendship.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Slate Stephens Mysteries series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780984446025
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Slate Stephens Mysteries
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 38,382
- Read-Aloud
- ~4h 16m
- Text Density
- Standard