Stealing secrets
Ann E. Steinke
Stealing secrets
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ann E. Steinke
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
Sean’s heart races as he blurts out a secret about the Varsity cheerleaders to the rival squad. Suddenly, whispers and angry looks ripple through his team. What will happen when the truth comes out?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of friendship, trust, and the consequences of sharing secrets. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it deals with social dynamics and peer relationships in a school setting without graphic content. Parents should note the story touches on issues of loyalty and interpersonal conflict.
Why we rated Stealing secrets 9LE
Stealing secrets is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 170 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Stealing secrets works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Stealing secrets 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, Stealing secrets explores friendship, coming of age, and social justice — 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 friendship, coming of age, social justice.
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
1/10A 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
- 9780590404464
- Pages
- 170
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 1987
- Type
- Fiction