The Lasko Tangent
Richard North Patterson
The Lasko Tangent
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Richard North Patterson
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
What would you do if you uncovered a secret that could change everything? Imagine stepping into a world where millionaires hide mysteries, and public prosecutors race against time to solve commercial crimes. The questions keep piling up, but the truth is just out of reach...
Themes
Quick Assessment
The Lasko Tangent is a fast-paced middle-grade fiction novel that explores themes of justice, crime, and wealth through the eyes of public prosecutors and wealthy characters. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging story with enough complexity to challenge readers without exposing them to intense content. Parents should note the focus on legal and commercial crime elements presented in an accessible manner.
Why we rated The Lasko Tangent 11LE
The Lasko Tangent is written at a Level 6 reading level across 255 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Lasko Tangent works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Lasko Tangent 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 Lasko Tangent explores public prosecutors, commercial crimes, millionaires, mystery, and 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about public prosecutors, commercial crimes, millionaires.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
2/10A 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
- 0393011909
- Pages
- 255
- Publisher
- W. W. Norton & Company
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction