The fugitive affair
Rosemary Gatenby
The fugitive affair
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel of Suspense
by Rosemary Gatenby
The text is written at a 6th 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
I never expected to get a call from my uncle about Warren Thayer—someone I hadn’t seen or heard from in three years. Nobody knew if Warren was alive or gone for good. But uncovering the truth? That’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery novel follows a young protagonist drawn into a suspenseful investigation surrounding the mysterious disappearance of Warren Thayer. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging plot with themes of intrigue and detective work. The story contains mild suspense but no intense content, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated The fugitive affair 11LE
The fugitive affair is written at a Level 6 reading level across 214 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The fugitive affair works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The fugitive affair as 11LE ("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 fugitive affair explores mystery, detective, 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 mystery, detective, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
- 0396073123
- Pages
- 214
- Publisher
- Dodd Mead
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction