The sticking point!
Ken Jackson
The sticking point!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ken Jackson
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
Have you ever wondered what makes a mystery impossible to solve? When a puzzling clue won’t budge, everything comes to a halt. Can anyone figure out the secret behind the sticking point?
Themes
Quick Assessment
The Sticking Point is a middle-grade mystery novel suitable for readers aged 9-12. It follows a detective story filled with suspense and problem-solving challenges, encouraging critical thinking and attention to detail. The content is appropriate for its age group, with no intense themes or mature content.
Why we rated The sticking point! 9C
The sticking point! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 166 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The sticking point! works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The sticking point! 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 sticking point! explores mystery, detective, and fiction — 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, detective, fiction.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
2/10A 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
- 0671208845
- Pages
- 166
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 1971
- Type
- Fiction