Move over, Steve McQueen
Jeff Keith
Move over, Steve McQueen
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
AMERICA'S GREATEST TEENAGE BANK ROBBER
by Jeff Keith
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it takes to outsmart the police for over five decades? Imagine being a teenage bank robber who becomes a legend, dodging capture while living right under everyone's noses. What secrets did 'The Kid' hold that kept him free and loved all his life?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book tells the thrilling story of Ted Conrad, a teenage bank robber who eluded the FBI and U.S. Marshals for 52 years. Set in Cleveland during the 1960s, it explores themes of crime, cleverness, and identity with a historical backdrop. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains no graphic content but includes discussions of criminal activity and law enforcement pursuits.
Why we rated Move over, Steve McQueen 9LS
Move over, Steve McQueen is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 133 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Move over, Steve McQueen works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Move over, Steve McQueen as 9LS ("Light — Social") 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, Move over, Steve McQueen explores adventure, historical, crime, and family — 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 adventure, historical, crime.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LS — Light — SocialLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 0879490683
- Pages
- 133
- Publisher
- CRC Global Marketing Inc
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction