The Clamdollar Caper
Daniel Phalen
The Clamdollar Caper
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Daniel Phalen
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Kidnapping the president's son sounds impossible to solve, but 12-year-old Rose Doolittle isn't about to let adults have all the answers. With the help of her new friends and a mysterious ancient ghost, she's about to uncover secrets no one else can. Why does the ransom demand threaten the very heart of justice in America?
Quick Assessment
This thrilling middle-grade adventure follows 12-year-old Rose as she witnesses the kidnapping of the president's son and takes matters into her own hands when adults dismiss the case. The story includes themes of friendship, bravery, and justice, set against a backdrop of political intrigue suitable for ages 13 and up. Parents should note the plot involves a kidnapping and references to crime and the prison system, handled with appropriate suspense for young readers.
Why we rated The Clamdollar Caper 11ME
The Clamdollar Caper is written at a Level 6 reading level across 260 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Clamdollar Caper works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Clamdollar Caper as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Clamdollar Caper explores friendship, adventure, mystery, coming of age, and historical — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780971297111
- Pages
- 260
- Publisher
- Creston Hall Pub Co
- Published
- April 25, 2002
- Type
- Fiction