Nearly Found
Elle Cosimano
Nearly Found
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elle Cosimano
The text is written at a 8th 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
Did you know Leigh’s summer internship in a forensic lab hides a secret far darker than any science experiment? She's about to uncover mysteries that put her right in the middle of a dangerous game—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Nearly Found follows Leigh, a high school senior and science enthusiast, who lands a forensic science internship offering a chance to escape her challenging home life. The story involves crime and mystery elements suitable for middle-grade readers, with some suspense and mild peril. Parents should note themes of crime and danger but overall the content is appropriate for ages 9-12.
Why we rated Nearly Found 12ME
Nearly Found is written at a Level 8 reading level across 400 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Nearly Found works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Nearly Found as 12ME ("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, physical peril — 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, Nearly Found explores mystery, crime, schools, coming of age, and friendship — 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 mystery, crime, schools.
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
12ME — 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
- 9781484485439
- Pages
- 400
- Publisher
- Penguin Young Readers Group
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction