Sherlock Holmes is Missing!
Alex Simmons, Bill McCay
Sherlock Holmes is Missing!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Sherlock Holmes is Missing!
by Alex Simmons, Bill McCay
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
Archie sprints through foggy London streets, clutching a crumpled note that hints at Sherlock Holmes’s disappearance. The Raven League huddles in a shadowy alley, piecing together clues from the dark corners of the city. But just as they think they’re close, a mysterious figure steps out—who could it be?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Archie Wiggins and his friends, the Raven League, as they investigate the sudden disappearance of Sherlock Holmes. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story blends action and detective puzzles with themes of friendship and teamwork. Parents should note the book features mild peril and suspense typical of adventure mysteries.
Why we rated Sherlock Holmes is Missing! 9LE
Sherlock Holmes is Missing! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 188 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sherlock Holmes is Missing! works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Sherlock Holmes is Missing! 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, Sherlock Holmes is Missing! explores mystery, adventure, and friendship — 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
9LE — 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
- 9781595140722
- Pages
- 188
- Publisher
- Razorbill
- Published
- 2006
- Type
- Fiction