Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The map trap
Andrew Clements
The map trap
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Andrew Clements
Illustrated by Andreasen, Dan, illustrator
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 someone stole your secret collection of maps? Alton Barnes, a sixth grader with a knack for cartography, finds himself caught in a tricky game of clues and commands. Can he outsmart the thief before anyone else finds out what he's been up to?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction story follows Alton Barnes, a map-loving sixth grader whose secret collection is stolen. As he receives mysterious demands to get his maps back, Alton teams up with a popular classmate to solve the puzzle, balancing secrecy and friendship. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book explores themes of problem-solving, trust, and adventure without intense or graphic content.
Why we rated The map trap 11LE
The map trap is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 900L across 130 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The map trap works for readers up to grade 8.5.
We rate The map trap 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 map trap explores adventure, mystery, friendship, cartography, and juvenile fiction — 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, mystery, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
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
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
- 9781416997276
- Pages
- 130
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 900L