Kill the father
Sandrone Dazieri
Kill the father
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Sandrone Dazieri
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Sirens wail as shadows dart through the rain-soaked streets. Two unlikely heroes race against time, chasing clues that could save missing children—if they can stay one step ahead of the darkness closing in. But when a chilling discovery changes everything, who can they trust?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade thriller follows two characters haunted by their pasts as they investigate a series of kidnappings and murders. The story contains intense themes like abduction and murder that may be unsettling for some readers aged 9-12, so parental guidance is advised. It offers suspenseful storytelling suitable for advanced middle-grade readers interested in mystery and crime fiction.
Why we rated Kill the father 12IP
Kill the father is written at a Level 8 reading level across 498 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Kill the father works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Kill the father as 12IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Kidnapping, Murder, Missing children.
Thematically, Kill the father explores investigation, kidnapping, mystery, missing children, and crime fiction — 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 investigation, kidnapping, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781501130731
- Pages
- 498
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction