Pasadena
Sherri L. Smith
Pasadena
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sherri L. Smith
The text is written at a 6th 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
Rain pelts down as a mysterious figure slips through the shadows of Pasadena. Suddenly, a loud crash echoes, and someone calls out for help. Who is behind the secrets lurking in the night, and what will happen next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Pasadena by Sherri L. Smith is a middle-grade mystery that follows a young protagonist navigating crime and secrets in California. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging detective story with some suspenseful moments but remains appropriate for this age group. The book explores themes of mystery and crime in a way that encourages critical thinking without exposing readers to graphic content.
Why we rated Pasadena 11LE
Pasadena is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pasadena works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Pasadena as 11LE ("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, Pasadena explores mystery, adventure, friendship, crime, and california — 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
11LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781101996263
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction