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Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2)

Jeri Fink

Cover of Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2)

Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jeri Fink

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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

Matthew is the only kid at school brave enough to fight a cyber thief hiding behind a screen. When a mysterious post turns his life upside down, he dives into a digital mystery that could change everything. What he discovers isn’t just about stolen secrets—it’s about standing up for what’s right.

Quick Assessment

This young adult novel explores important issues like bullying, identity theft, social injustice, and internet safety through the story of Matthew, a teen facing a cyber attack at school. Suitable for ages 13 and up, the book offers a timely look at digital dangers while encouraging critical thinking and resilience. Parents should note the themes of cyberbullying and social challenges that mirror real-world teen experiences.

Why we rated Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2) 9ME

Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2) works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2) as 9ME ("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: Bullying, Identity & Self-Discovery, Fear & Anxiety, Internet Dangers.

Thematically, Who Stole Matthew's Web? (Books By Teens, 2) (Books By Teens, 2) explores friendship, coming of age, social justice, adventure, and technology — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
  • Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, social justice.

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

9ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

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

Content Flags

Bullying Identity & Self-Discovery Fear & Anxiety Internet Dangers
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

6/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
9
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

144 pages
ISBN
9780792552789
Pages
144
Publisher
Educational Activities
Published
May 1, 2002
Type
Fiction

Genres

False personation

Subjects

Short Stories