The grave robber's secret
Anna Myers
The grave robber's secret
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anna Myers
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Robbie creeps through the dark cemetery, heart pounding as his father digs beneath the moonlight. Suddenly, a chilling secret slips into Robbie’s hands—one that could change everything. But can he trust what he’s discovered, or is danger closing in fast?
Quick Assessment
Set in 1800s Philadelphia, this middle-grade mystery follows twelve-year-old Robbie as he becomes entangled in grave robbing with his father. When Robbie suspects his father of murder, he faces tough decisions that challenge his courage and morality. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book explores themes of family loyalty, historical context, and ethical dilemmas with moderate intensity.
Why we rated The grave robber's secret 9ME
The grave robber's secret is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 196 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The grave robber's secret works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The grave robber's secret as 9ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Murder, Grave Robbing.
Thematically, The grave robber's secret explores mystery, historical, family, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, historical, family.
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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
- 9780802721839
- Pages
- 196
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction