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The tuxedo

Ellen Weiss

Cover of The tuxedo

The tuxedo

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ellen Weiss

Reading Level 4-5 9LP 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

What if a simple tuxedo could turn you into a secret agent? When Jimmy Tong, a regular cab driver, slips into this extraordinary suit, he discovers it’s packed with amazing powers—and way more than just style. But can he handle the thrilling dangers that come with it?

Themes

AdventureFriendshipSpy storiesFilm novelizations

Quick Assessment

This junior novelization adapts the DreamWorks movie about Jimmy Tong, a cab driver who becomes a chauffeur and stumbles upon a high-tech tuxedo that grants him spy-like abilities. Suitable for middle-grade readers, the story combines action and humor with light fantasy elements. Parents should note the mild peril and fantasy violence typical of spy adventures.

Why we rated The tuxedo 9LP

The tuxedo is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 142 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The tuxedo works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The tuxedo as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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 tuxedo explores adventure, friendship, spy stories, and film novelizations — 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 adventure, friendship, spy stories.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

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

2/10

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

142 pages
ISBN
9780843149661
Pages
142
Publisher
Price Stern Sloan
Published
2002
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Film NovelizationsSpy StoriesAdventure and AdventurersKarate