What reading level is License to thrill?

License to thrill by Dan Gutman is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 730L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is License to thrill appropriate for?

License to thrill is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9MP (Moderate — Physical).

What genre is License to thrill?

License to thrill is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does License to thrill have any content warnings?

License to thrill has a HootRating of 9MP (Moderate — Physical). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is License to thrill?

License to thrill by Dan Gutman is 251 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

License to thrill

Dan Gutman

License to thrill

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Dan Gutman

Reading Level 4-5 9MP Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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

Crunching gravel under their sneakers, Coke and Pepsi can almost taste the salty breeze from the Pacific as they race toward the Golden Gate Bridge. But the air is thick with danger—venomous snakes hissing nearby and the roar of a deadly turbine echoing in their ears. Every step edges them closer to the wildest adventure yet, where family secrets might finally come to light.

Themes

Adventure FamilyBrothers and sistersJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

This fifth installment in Dan Gutman's bestselling 'The Genius Files' series follows twins Coke and Pepsi McDonald on the thrilling final leg of their cross-country road trip. Filled with humor, real American landmarks, and exciting dangers like snakes and perilous obstacles, the book balances adventure with lighthearted fun suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and action scenes, but overall the story is an engaging mix of geography and family dynamics.

Why we rated License to thrill 9MP

License to thrill is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 730L across 251 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, License to thrill works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate License to thrill as 9MP ("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, License to thrill explores adventure, family, brothers and sisters, and juvenile 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 adventure, family, brothers and sisters.

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.