Don't Let Go
by Harlan Coben
Penguin 2017
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.2 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include grief and trauma
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Genre
Themes
- secrets and lies
- grief and trauma
- obsession with the past
- trust and betrayal
- small-town corruption
- memory and truth
- family and loyalty
- justice vs. revenge
- conspiracy
About this book
Detective Napoleon “Nap” Dumas has never recovered from the night his twin brother and the brother’s girlfriend died on the train tracks—and the same night Nap’s girlfriend, Maura, vanished. Fifteen years later, Maura suddenly reappears, triggering an investigation that connects a secretive group of former classmates, a decommissioned Cold War missile site, and a web of lies buried in their New Jersey suburb. As Nap digs into the past, he uncovers dangerous truths that could upend his town and the people he thought he knew.
Setting: Contemporary suburban New Jersey (fictional town of Westbridge), including an abandoned Nike missile base; New York metro area
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Don't Let Go right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Don't Let Go. 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 secrets and lies, grief and trauma, obsession with the past.
How long does it take to read Don't Let Go?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Don't Let Go takes around 10h to finish. The book has 103,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Don't Let Go have an AR quiz?
Yes — Don't Let Go has an AR quiz available, worth 14 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 Don't Let Go?
Don't Let Go 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.