The ides of March conspiracy
Clyde Matthews
The ides of March conspiracy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Year the IRS Got what it Deserves
by Clyde Matthews
The text is written at a 7th 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: three young computer experts are planning something big against a powerful government agency. They want to send a message on the Ides of March, a day full of mystery and danger. But that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel blends political intrigue and computer hacking as three young protagonists target the Internal Revenue Service in a suspenseful plot set in the 1980s. Suitable for ages 9-12, it introduces themes of privacy, justice, and technology without graphic content, though the story involves complex ideas about government and power. Parents should note the book's focus on political intrigue and ethical questions related to surveillance and rebellion.
Why we rated The ides of March conspiracy 12LP
The ides of March conspiracy is written at a Level 7 reading level across 307 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The ides of March conspiracy works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The ides of March conspiracy as 12LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The ides of March conspiracy explores adventure, mystery, science & nature, and social justice — 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 adventure, mystery, science & nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0877952019
- Pages
- 307
- Publisher
- Arbor House
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction