Missing Map
D. G. Stern
Missing Map
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Upton Charles-Dog Detective
by D. G. Stern
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Have you ever wondered what happens when a treasure map goes missing on a perfect spring day? The Charles family is enjoying the festival with flowers, food, and farmers, but suddenly a rare pirate map disappears from the library! Can Upton the clever dog and Watson the sharp cat solve the mystery before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
Missing Map is a gentle mystery story suitable for early readers aged 5 to 8. It follows the Charles family and their detective pets as they search for a missing treasure map during a lively park festival. The book encourages critical thinking and problem-solving without any intense or frightening content.
Why we rated Missing Map 8C
Missing Map is written at a Level 3 reading level across 98 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Missing Map works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Missing Map as 8C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Missing Map explores mystery, friendship, family, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The Mystery of the Pirate's Map
Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Mystery of the Pirate's Map
Gertrude Chandler Warner
Missing!
Katie Dicker
Missing!
Katie Dicker
Mystery of the Pirate's Map
Gertrude Chandler Warner
Mystery of the Pirate's Map
Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Map
Cecilia LeBaron
The Map
Cecilia LeBaron
Missing Statue
Alex Lane
Missing Statue
Alex Lane
The Long-Lost Map
Pierdomenico Baccalario
The Long-Lost Map
Pierdomenico Baccalario
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781732455146
- Pages
- 98
- Publisher
- Neptune Press, LLC
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction