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The strange files of Fremont Jones

Dianne Day

Cover of The strange files of Fremont Jones

The strange files of Fremont Jones

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Dianne Day

Fremont Jones Mystery

Reading Level 6-7 11ME Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Fremont Jones dives into a puzzling mystery when a client suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances. Determined to uncover the truth, Fremont follows clues that tie the death to a mysterious paper she helped type. With sharp wit and keen observation, she unravels secrets that put her right in the heart of danger.

Themes

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6-7 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated The strange files of Fremont Jones 11ME

The strange files of Fremont Jones is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 243 pages (approximately 79,614 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The strange files of Fremont Jones works for readers up to grade 8.3.

Read aloud, The strange files of Fremont Jones runs about 8.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The strange files of Fremont Jones 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, Fear & Anxiety.

Thematically, The strange files of Fremont Jones explores mystery, detective, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Kids drawn to stories about mystery, detective, coming of age.
  • Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Fremont Jones Mystery series.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Mild Peril Fear & Anxiety
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

4/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
6
Narrative Pace
3
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
6

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Details

Book Length

243 pages
79,614 words
8h 51m read-aloud
ISBN
055356921X
Pages
243
Publisher
Bantam Books
Published
1996
Type
Fiction
Word Count
79,614
Read-Aloud
~8h 51m
Text Density
Dense

Subjects

Detective and Mystery StoriesFremont JonesJonesFremontCaliforniaSan FranciscoCarmelWomen DetectivesFeminists