Solve a crime
Hilary Koll
Solve a crime
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Hilary Koll
Illustrated by Aleksić, Vladimir, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Crunching numbers and spotting clues fill the air like the crisp snap of a magnifying glass clicking open. Every page buzzes with colorful charts and tricky math puzzles that help you follow the trail of a sneaky criminal. Can you solve the mystery before the final clue slips away?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This interactive book combines a fun crime-solving story with math exercises suited for early readers ages 5-8. It introduces concepts such as addition, decimals, line graphs, and pie charts through engaging, real-world problems. The glossary supports young learners by explaining mathematical terms, making this title a helpful resource for building foundational math skills in an entertaining context.
Why we rated Solve a crime 7C
Solve a crime is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Solve a crime works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Solve a crime as 7C ("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, Solve a crime explores mathematics, problem solving, juvenile literature, mystery, and educational — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mathematics, problem solving, juvenile literature.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — 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
- 9781781716953
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- QED Publishing
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Nonfiction