Hostage
Chris Bradford
Hostage
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Chris Bradford
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 you were the secret protector of the president’s daughter, keeping her safe from a shadowy enemy that no one else even knows about? Imagine racing against time to stop a daring kidnapping plot, with danger lurking at every turn. Can you save her before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Hostage is an action-packed middle grade adventure featuring Connor Reeves, a skilled martial artist and bodyguard tasked with protecting the US president’s daughter from a terrorist kidnapping plot. Suitable for ages 9-12, this fast-paced novel includes realistic fight scenes and themes of friendship and bravery. The story contains mild peril and suspense but is appropriate for middle-grade readers who enjoy thrilling, adventure stories.
Why we rated Hostage 11MP
Hostage is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hostage works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Hostage as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — 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, Hostage explores adventure, friendship, kidnapping, action, and protective duty — 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 adventure, friendship, kidnapping.
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
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
- 9781524736996
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction