The long arm of Gil Hamilton
Larry Niven
The long arm of Gil Hamilton
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Larry Niven
The text is written at a 4th 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 if you had a special power that could help you catch the bad guys no one else could? Gil Hamilton’s psychic abilities make him the best detective in the galaxy, but his enemies are closing in from all sides. Can he outsmart them before it’s too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction story follows Gil Hamilton, a skilled agent with psychic abilities working for a global police force. The book features themes of adventure and suspense suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, with some mild peril as Gil faces threats from various enemies. Parents should note the story’s focus on problem-solving and courage in the face of danger.
Why we rated The long arm of Gil Hamilton 9LP
The long arm of Gil Hamilton is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 182 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The long arm of Gil Hamilton works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The long arm of Gil Hamilton as 9LP ("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 long arm of Gil Hamilton explores adventure, science & nature, mystery, and fantasy world-building — 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, science & nature, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — 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
- 0345248686
- Pages
- 182
- Publisher
- Ballantine Books
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction