The Case of the Hamilton Roller Coaster
Daniel Kenney
The Case of the Hamilton Roller Coaster
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Daniel Kenney
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
Here’s a secret: the Math Inspectors thought summer vacation would be all fun and games. But when their day at the amusement park turns into a race to save a special roller coaster, everything changes. And that’s just the beginning of their biggest mystery yet.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows a group of friends known as the Math Inspectors as they tackle a challenging case during their summer break. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story combines friendship, problem-solving, and adventure without intense or inappropriate content. Parents can expect a lighthearted yet engaging tale that encourages critical thinking and teamwork.
Why we rated The Case of the Hamilton Roller Coaster 9LE
The Case of the Hamilton Roller Coaster is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 177 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Case of the Hamilton Roller Coaster works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Case of the Hamilton Roller Coaster 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, The Case of the Hamilton Roller Coaster explores friendship, mystery, and adventure — 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, mystery, adventure.
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
- 9781955657525
- Pages
- 177
- Publisher
- Bakken Books
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction