Lost City
Clive Cussler
Lost City
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel from the Numa Files
by Clive Cussler
NUMA Files; Kurt Austin Adventure
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Deep beneath the ocean lies an ancient city hiding a secret that could extend human life forever. Brave explorers dive into the depths, but many who seek this mystery never return. Courage and danger collide in a thrilling quest to uncover the truth beneath the waves.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6-7 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include physical danger, mild peril. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Lost City 11MP
Lost City is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 420 pages (approximately 119,770 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lost City works for readers up to grade 8.3.
Read aloud, Lost City runs about 13.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Lost City 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Physical Danger, Mild Peril.
Thematically, Lost City explores adventure, science & nature, mystery, and survival — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, science & nature, mystery.
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
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 039915177X
- Pages
- 420
- Publisher
- Putnam Adult
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 119,770
- Read-Aloud
- ~13h 18m
- Text Density
- Dense