Missing (Vortex Books)
M. Sobel Spirn
Missing (Vortex Books)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by M. Sobel Spirn
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Sam tells so many tall tales that no one believes him when his dad goes missing. But Sam and his best friend Josh are determined to crack the mystery on their own. And that's only the beginning of a twisty adventure.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction centers on eleven-year-old Sam, whose habit of lying complicates the search when his father is kidnapped. Alongside his best friend Josh, Sam embarks on a courageous quest to solve the mystery. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, the book explores themes of trust and friendship with moderate suspense but no intense content.
Why we rated Missing (Vortex Books) 9LE
Missing (Vortex Books) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Missing (Vortex Books) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Missing (Vortex Books) as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Missing (Vortex Books) explores friendship, adventure, mystery, and family — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781598892789
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Capstone Classroom
- Published
- July 30, 2006
- Type
- Fiction