The case of the locked box
Lewis B. Montgomery
The case of the locked box
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lewis B. Montgomery
Illustrated by Wummer, Amy, illustrator
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
What would you do if you were blamed for stealing money you didn't take? Jazz, a detective-in-training, faces this exact challenge when a locked cashbox goes missing $100. Can her friend Milo uncover the truth before the student court decides her fate?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Jazz, a young detective-in-training, who stands accused of stealing money from a locked cashbox at school. The story explores themes of friendship, justice, and problem-solving as her partner Milo works to prove her innocence. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains mild suspense but no graphic content.
Why we rated The case of the locked box 9LE
The case of the locked box is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 106 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 locked box works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The case of the locked box 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 locked box explores friendship, detective and mystery stories, school stories, justice, and problem-solving — 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, detective and mystery stories, school stories.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781575656250
- Pages
- 106
- Publisher
- Kane Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction