The Smoking Gun (Point Crime S.)
Malcolm Rose
The Smoking Gun (Point Crime S.)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Malcolm Rose
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Ros watches in horror as her grandfather collapses during sports day, the crowd frozen in shock. Just when everyone thinks it's a tragic accident, her brother David is found murdered, sending chills through the town. Now, with danger closing in, Ros and Kevin race against time—who will be next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Ros and Kevin as they unravel the suspicious deaths of Ros's grandfather and brother. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story contains themes of suspense and mild peril but handles them in an age-appropriate way. Parents should note the presence of suspenseful situations involving crime and danger.
Why we rated The Smoking Gun (Point Crime S.) 11ME
The Smoking Gun (Point Crime S.) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Smoking Gun (Point Crime S.) works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Smoking Gun (Point Crime S.) as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The Smoking Gun (Point Crime S.) explores mystery, thriller & suspense, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, thriller & suspense, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780590552875
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- August 20, 1993
- Type
- Fiction