Snake
James McClure
Snake
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by James McClure
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 would you do if you found yourself tangled in a mystery where every clue feels like a dead end? In a world where the police chase shadows and secrets whisper from every corner, Kramer and his friends face challenges that test their courage and friendship. But can they uncover the truth before it slips away?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Kramer, Trompie, and their friends as they navigate a suspenseful mystery involving local police in South Africa. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of friendship and problem-solving without graphic content or mature themes. It offers an engaging introduction to adventure and social dynamics in a different cultural setting.
Why we rated Snake 11C
Snake is written at a Level 6 reading level across 216 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Snake works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Snake 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, Snake explores friendship, adventure, mystery, police, and multicultural — 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 friendship, adventure, mystery.
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.
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
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
- 0060128844
- Pages
- 216
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction