Outlaw
Davies, Stephen
Outlaw
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Davies, Stephen
The text is written at a 6th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if a routine summer vacation turns into the biggest adventure of your life? Jake thought escaping trouble at school meant sunny days and exciting explorations in Africa. But when danger and a notorious outlaw appear, everything he knows is put to the ultimate test.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows 15-year-old Jake Knight as he leaves England for Burkina Faso, expecting a carefree holiday but encountering serious threats including kidnapping and terrorism. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of survival, family relationships, and social challenges within an adventurous context. Parents should note the presence of danger-related content, though it is handled in a way appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Outlaw 11ME
Outlaw is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Outlaw works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Outlaw as 11ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Kidnapping, Terrorism.
Thematically, Outlaw explores brothers and sisters, survival, adventure, and social problems — 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 brothers and sisters, survival, adventure.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Outlaws (Bad Guys)
Gary L. Blackwood
Outlaws (Bad Guys)
Gary L. Blackwood
Outlaws, gunslingers, and thieves
Heather E. Schwartz
Outlaws, gunslingers, and thieves
Heather E. Schwartz
Outlaw
Tony Lee
Outlaw
Tony Lee
Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
Jonathan Stroud
Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
Jonathan Stroud
The outlaw
Nancy Vo
The outlaw
Nancy Vo
Outlaws of the American West
D. J. Herda
Outlaws of the American West
D. J. Herda
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781849390880
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction