The missing marlin
David A. Kelly
The missing marlin
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David A. Kelly
Illustrated by Meyers, Mark, illustrator
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The crowd roars as the ballpark lights blaze bright. Mike and Kate race through the buzzing Miami Marlins stadium, chasing clues about a missing fish—Marlin, Uncle Oliver’s prized rare fish! But when Kate spots a shadow in the tank, everything changes. What’s really going on beneath the water?
Quick Assessment
This early chapter book mystery is set in the vibrant Miami Marlins ballpark, where young detectives Mike and Kate investigate the disappearance of rare fish from the stadium’s tanks. Aimed at readers aged 9-12, it blends sports excitement with a gentle mystery, promoting problem-solving and curiosity. The story includes educational content about marine life and the ballpark, with no intense themes or content concerns.
Why we rated The missing marlin 9C
The missing marlin is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 105 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The missing marlin works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The missing marlin as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The missing marlin explores mystery, sports, friendship, adventure, and science & nature — 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 mystery, sports, 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
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A 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
- 9780307977823
- Pages
- 105
- Publisher
- Random House Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction