The Kaligarh Fault
Paul Roadarmel
The Kaligarh Fault
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Paul Roadarmel
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
Here’s a secret: deep in the Himalayas, a hidden factory makes dangerous drugs that slip through war-torn lands. Thomas Berren is on a daring mission to uncover the truth—and maybe find a lost friend along the way. But that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Thomas Berren as he investigates a drug trafficking network in Southeast Asia, navigating treacherous mountain terrain and wartime dangers. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes themes of friendship, bravery, and solving mysteries, with some mild peril related to the mission's environment and challenges.
Why we rated The Kaligarh Fault 11LP
The Kaligarh Fault is written at a Level 6 reading level across 261 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Kaligarh Fault works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Kaligarh Fault as 11LP ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The Kaligarh Fault explores adventure, friendship, and mystery — 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, friendship, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
- 0060136006
- Pages
- 261
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction