Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
In harm's way
Andrew Clements
In harm's way
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Illustrated by Adam Stower
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
What would you do if your school was in danger, and two tricky janitors were always one step behind you? Benjamin Pratt and his friends Jill and Robert are racing against time, with a secret stash of millions to protect. But can their team outsmart the villains before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Benjamin Pratt and his friends as they unite to save their school from closure, facing challenges that include outwitting antagonistic janitors. The story touches on themes of friendship, teamwork, and social responsibility, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. The narrative contains mild suspense and highlights positive problem-solving without intense conflict.
Why we rated In harm's way LE (Mild)
In harm's way is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 209 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage In harm's way on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate In harm's way as LE (Mild, mostly emotional) 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, In harm's way explores friendship, school stories, social issues, family, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, school stories, social issues.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416938897
- Pages
- 209
- Publisher
- Atheneum
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction