Presumed dead
Jean Lartéguy
Presumed dead
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Jean Lartéguy
The text is written at a 8th 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
This story proves that even when everything looks lost, courage can bring you back from the edge. Meet a character who refuses to give up, facing impossible odds with bravery that changes everything. Discover why never giving up is the most powerful adventure of all.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Presumed Dead is a middle-grade fiction book suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, featuring themes of courage and resilience. It tells the story of a child facing extreme challenges, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hope. The book contains no intense content, making it appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Presumed dead 12LE
Presumed dead is written at a Level 8 reading level across 459 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Presumed dead works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Presumed dead as 12LE ("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, Presumed dead explores courage, resilience, adventure, and children's fiction — 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 courage, resilience, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 0316515302
- Pages
- 459
- Publisher
- Little Brown
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction