Secret of the missing footprint
Phyllis A. Whitney
Secret of the missing footprint
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Phyllis A. Whitney
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What happens when a priceless rock vanishes without a trace? An eleven-year-old girl’s quiet summer flips upside down as she teams up with a mysterious 'golden' boy to crack the clues. Can they solve the secret behind the missing footprint before it’s too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows an eleven-year-old girl who encounters an unexpected adventure when a valuable rock goes missing. Along the way, she forms a friendship with a boy nicknamed 'golden,' bringing excitement and growth to her summer. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story focuses on problem-solving and friendship with no concerning content.
Why we rated Secret of the missing footprint 11C
Secret of the missing footprint is written at a Level 6 reading level across 210 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Secret of the missing footprint works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Secret of the missing footprint as 11C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Secret of the missing footprint explores mystery, friendship, and coming of age — 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 mystery, friendship, coming of age.
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
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 0664324606
- Pages
- 210
- Publisher
- Westminster John Knox Press
- Published
- 1969
- Type
- Fiction