Missing
Duffy, James
Missing
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Duffy, James
The text is written at a 4th 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
What would you do if you suddenly disappeared from everyone you know? Imagine a lonely man who takes a ten-year-old runaway to keep as his own secret. But what happens when the child starts to wonder if escape is possible?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores the story of a ten-year-old child with a history of running away who is kidnapped by a confused man. The themes of kidnapping and missing persons are central to the plot, and it may bring up difficult emotions for readers. Recommended for ages 9-12 with parental guidance due to sensitive subject matter.
Why we rated Missing 9IE
Missing is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 137 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Missing works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Missing as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Kidnapping, Missing Child.
Thematically, Missing explores kidnapping, missing persons, loneliness, and identity & self-discovery — 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 kidnapping, missing persons, loneliness.
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
9IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy 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
1/10A 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
- 0684189127
- Pages
- 137
- Publisher
- Atheneum
- Published
- 1988
- Type
- Fiction