Past Crimes
Carol Matas
Past Crimes
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Carol Matas
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Ros barely has time to catch her breath when a gunshot rings out right outside her house, sending her crashing to the ground. Hospital lights blur her vision, but the danger is just beginning. Who wants to hurt her—and why is her past creeping into her dreams in such a frightening way?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult mystery follows 19-year-old Ros as she navigates life after her husband's murder, relocating with her infant son to her childhood home. When violence erupts nearby and Ros becomes a target, she must unravel secrets connected to her disturbing dreams. Suitable for teens 13 and up, the story features suspense and mild peril but avoids graphic content.
Why we rated Past Crimes 11ME
Past Crimes is written at a Level 6 reading level across 200 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Past Crimes works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Past Crimes 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 — 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, Past Crimes explores mystery, espionage, coming of age, family, and suspense — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, espionage, coming of age.
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.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781552638415
- Pages
- 200
- Publisher
- Key Porter Books
- Published
- June 18, 2007
- Type
- Fiction