License to thrill

Name: License to thrill
Author: Dan Gutman
ISBN: 9780062236326

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Dan Gutman

Reading Level 4-5 MP · Moderate · Physical 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. Its HootRating code, MP, means moderate content, mostly physical.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links.

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 MP (Moderate)

License to thrill is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 251 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage License to thrill on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate License to thrill as MP (Moderate, mostly 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.
✓ 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.

For Parents

Content Intensity

MP · Moderate · Physical

Emotional

Mild

Physical

Moderate ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Mild

Reading 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

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?