Mystery on Maui
Carolyn Keene
Mystery on Maui
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Carolyn Keene
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
Waves crash as Nancy and her friends race along the shore, but suddenly a chilling threat shakes the surfing competition. Who would want to hurt a surfer, and why now? Just as danger looms, a shadow moves in the water—what’s really going on in paradise?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set on the scenic island of Maui, this mystery follows Nancy and her friends as they uncover a dangerous plot surrounding a high-stakes surfing competition. Appropriate for readers aged 9-12, it features themes of friendship, competition, and problem-solving without graphic content or intense emotional distress.
Why we rated Mystery on Maui 9LP
Mystery on Maui is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 147 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mystery on Maui works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Mystery on Maui as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Mystery on Maui explores mystery, adventure, friendship, competition, and sports — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A 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
- 9780671007539
- Pages
- 147
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 1998
- Type
- Fiction