The lost & found
Katrina Leno
The lost & found
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Katrina Leno
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Some people have a strange talent for losing things... but Frannie and Louis? They seem to make things disappear! When a mysterious letter brings them together on a road trip, what they find might change everything they thought they knew about loss—and about each other.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of loss, family bonds, and emotional healing through the story of two pen pals who embark on a road trip to meet for the first time. Suitable for ages 9-12, it thoughtfully addresses post-traumatic stress and the complexities of growing up. Parents should be aware it contains themes of emotional struggle but presents them with humor and hope.
Why we rated The lost & found 12ME
The lost & found is written at a Level 7 reading level across 339 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The lost & found works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The lost & found as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The lost & found explores loss, families, brothers and sisters, friendship, and coming of age — 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 loss, families, brothers and sisters.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062231208
- Pages
- 339
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction