Secret money
Lois Gladys Leppard
Secret money
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lois Gladys Leppard
The text is written at a 4th 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
What would you do if a mysterious note and secret money appeared just when you needed it most? Sixteen-year-old Lily Masterson finds herself far from home in 1901 England, with a secret that could change everything. Can her faith and courage help her uncover the truth about her father's death?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1901, this middle-grade mystery follows sixteen-year-old Lily Masterson as she travels from England back to South Carolina, guided by her Christian faith while investigating her father's death. The story combines historical elements with themes of faith and perseverance, suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. There is no intense content, making it appropriate for middle-grade audiences interested in mystery and values-driven stories.
Why we rated Secret money 9LE
Secret money is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 182 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Secret money works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Secret money as 9LE ("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, Secret money explores christian life, mystery, family, faith, and historical — 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 christian life, mystery, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 034539576X
- Pages
- 182
- Publisher
- Ballantine Books
- Published
- 1995
- Type
- Fiction