The Secret of the Red Flame (Aladdin Mystery)
K.M. Kimball
The Secret of the Red Flame (Aladdin Mystery)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by K.M. Kimball
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
There’s a secret society called the Red Flame working undercover in 1871 Chicago to stop street crime. Josef is one of them, but when a boy named Wolf might be behind the trouble, everything changes as the city catches fire. The mystery is just starting, and the real danger is yet to come.
Quick Assessment
Set in Chicago during the Great Fire of 1871, this middle-grade mystery follows Josef, a member of a secret society aiming to combat crime. The story touches on historical events and themes of loyalty, justice, and courage, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note some depictions of fire and crime but overall content is appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated The Secret of the Red Flame (Aladdin Mystery) 11LE
The Secret of the Red Flame (Aladdin Mystery) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Secret of the Red Flame (Aladdin Mystery) works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Secret of the Red Flame (Aladdin Mystery) 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 Secret of the Red Flame (Aladdin Mystery) explores mystery, historical, adventure, friendship, and social justice — 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, historical, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780689851742
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
- Published
- July 1, 2002
- Type
- Fiction