The last panther
Todd Mitchell
The last panther
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Todd Mitchell
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 wild, a family of panthers thought to be lost forever still prowls under the moonlight. An eleven-year-old girl stumbles upon their hidden world, where whispers travel between humans and animals. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows an eleven-year-old girl's discovery of a family of Florida panthers believed to be extinct. The story explores themes of endangered species and human-animal connection, offering a blend of adventure and environmental awareness suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should know it includes moments of suspense related to protecting wildlife.
Why we rated The last panther 11LE
The last panther is written at a Level 6 reading level across 246 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The last panther works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The last panther 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 last panther explores friendship, adventure, science & nature, and environmental awareness — 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 friendship, adventure, science & nature.
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
- 9780399555589
- Pages
- 246
- Publisher
- Delacorte Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction