The Pentagon Spy
Franklin W. Dixon
The Pentagon Spy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Franklin W. Dixon
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
Here’s a secret: the Pentagon is hiding something big, and someone needs to uncover it. What if you stumbled upon clues that put you right in the middle of a top-secret spy mission? But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows a young protagonist embroiled in a thrilling espionage adventure involving the Pentagon. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, it offers fast-paced action and problem-solving without graphic content. Parents should note the presence of suspenseful moments typical of spy stories but no intense violence or mature themes.
Why we rated The Pentagon Spy 9LE
The Pentagon Spy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 196 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Pentagon Spy works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Pentagon Spy as 9LE ("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 Pentagon Spy explores mystery, adventure, espionage, and friendship — 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, adventure, espionage.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
- 9780671672218
- Pages
- 196
- Publisher
- Aladdin Paperbacks
- Published
- October 1, 1988
- Type
- Fiction