This Stranger, My Father
Robert Hawks
This Stranger, My Father
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Hawks
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
The sharp clang of the prison gates echoes in Patty's ears, mixing with the cold, damp air that seeps into her bones. Her father, once a hero in her eyes, is now a stranger caught in a web of secrets from long ago. As the truth unfolds, Patty feels the weight of questions pressing on her heart — can she still trust the man she called Dad?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the emotional upheaval experienced by Patty when her father is arrested for espionage committed two decades earlier. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of family, trust, and the complexities of adult secrets. Parents should note the story involves legal and emotional challenges but handles them with appropriate care for this age group.
Why we rated This Stranger, My Father 11ME
This Stranger, My Father is written at a Level 6 reading level across 242 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This Stranger, My Father works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate This Stranger, My Father 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, This Stranger, My Father explores fathers and daughters, family, spies, trust, and secrets — 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 fathers and daughters, family, spies.
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.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780380707393
- Pages
- 242
- Publisher
- Avon Books
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction