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The Pentagon Spy

Franklin W. Dixon

Cover of The Pentagon Spy

The Pentagon Spy

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Franklin W. Dixon

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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.

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 — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

196 pages
ISBN
9780671672218
Pages
196
Publisher
Aladdin Paperbacks
Published
October 1, 1988
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective StoriesAction & AdventureDetectiveMystery and Detective StoriesMysteryHardy BoysDetective and Mystery Stories