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Under Locker and Key (MAX)

Allison K. Hymas

Cover of Under Locker and Key (MAX)

Under Locker and Key (MAX)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Allison K. Hymas

Reading Level 6 11LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th 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 the master key to every locker in your school fell into the wrong hands? Imagine all your secrets, snacks, and school supplies suddenly at risk of disappearing! Jeremy, the school’s top retrieval specialist, must team up with his biggest rival to stop a sneaky thief—but can he trust her before it’s too late?

Themes

FriendshipAction & AdventureThrillers & SuspenseSocial ThemesJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows eleven-year-old Jeremy, who specializes in retrieving stolen items at his school, as he faces a new challenge when the master locker key is stolen. The story explores themes of trust, friendship, and moral choices while delivering action and suspense appropriate for ages 9-12. Parents should note mild suspense and school-related conflicts but no intense violence or mature content.

Why we rated Under Locker and Key (MAX) 11LP

Under Locker and Key (MAX) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Under Locker and Key (MAX) works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Under Locker and Key (MAX) as 11LP ("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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Under Locker and Key (MAX) explores friendship, action & adventure, thrillers & suspense, social themes, and juvenile 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 friendship, action & adventure, thrillers & suspense.

Maybe not for

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

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
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

256 pages
ISBN
9781481463430
Pages
256
Publisher
Aladdin
Published
2017-04-18
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Action & AdventureThrillers & SuspenseSocial ThemesFriendshipMystery and Detective StoriesSchoolsTheft