Here lies Daniel Tate
Cristin Terrill
Here lies Daniel Tate
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cristin Terrill
The text is written at a 7th 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
A boy scrambles through the shadows, heart pounding, as he slips into a life that isn't his own. He becomes Daniel Tate—the missing son of a wealthy family—but secrets whisper behind every door. What will happen when the truth claws its way out?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a runaway boy who assumes the identity of a wealthy family's missing son, Daniel Tate. As he navigates this new life, he uncovers unsettling secrets about Daniel's disappearance. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story touches on themes of family, identity, and mystery, with some suspenseful moments that may prompt discussion about trust and safety.
Why we rated Here lies Daniel Tate 12ME
Here lies Daniel Tate is written at a Level 7 reading level across 387 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Here lies Daniel Tate works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Here lies Daniel Tate as 12ME ("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, 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, Here lies Daniel Tate explores runaways, impersonation, families, missing children, and secrets — 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 runaways, impersonation, families.
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
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
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
- 9781481480765
- Pages
- 387
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction