Missing
Robert Lawrence Stine
Missing
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Fear Street #4
by Robert Lawrence Stine
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
The sharp clang of the gate echoes in the empty street, a cold wind carrying whispers of something gone wrong. Mark and Cara’s world tilts when their parents vanish without a trace, swallowed by the shadows of Fear Street. The silence that follows feels heavier than fear itself.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade horror novel follows siblings Mark and Cara as they face the terrifying mystery of their parents’ sudden disappearance. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, it contains suspenseful and eerie moments typical of juvenile horror fiction but without graphic content. Parents should be aware that the story explores themes of fear and loss in a way that may be intense for sensitive readers.
Why we rated Missing 9ME
Missing is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 168 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 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — 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, Missing explores horror, mystery, family, and suspense — 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 horror, mystery, family.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780671694104
- Pages
- 168
- Publisher
- Simon Pulse
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction