Cross My Heart
by James Patterson
Little, Brown 2013
Book 21 of Alex Cross
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.2 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include resilience under trauma
Book 21 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- family and loyalty
- obsession and revenge
- psychological manipulation
- good versus evil
- justice versus vigilantism
- duty versus personal life
- resilience under trauma
About this book
Detective Alex Cross faces his most personal case when a cunning psychopath targets the people he loves—his children, his grandmother Nana Mama, and his wife Bree—turning Cross’s greatest strength, his devotion to family, into a weapon against him. As the killer escalates and toys with Cross, the investigation becomes a harrowing, high-stakes battle that ends on a cliffhanger leading into the next installment.
Setting: Contemporary Washington, D.C., including Cross’s home life and various D.C. neighborhoods and law-enforcement settings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cross My Heart right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Cross My Heart. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include family and loyalty, obsession and revenge, psychological manipulation. Note: this is book 21 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read Cross My Heart?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Cross My Heart takes around 11h to finish. The book has 104,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Cross My Heart have an AR quiz?
Yes — Cross My Heart has an AR quiz available, worth 12 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Cross My Heart?
Cross My Heart has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.