Memory Man
The Gripping Thriller You Won't Be Able To Forget
by David Baldacci
Pan Macmillan 2015
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.2 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include trauma and recovery
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Genre
Themes
- memory and identity
- grief and loss
- justice vs. revenge
- trauma and recovery
- obsession
- truth and deception
- resilience
- crime and morality
About this book
The first Amos Decker novel. After a traumatic football injury leaves him with perfect recall and synesthesia, former detective Amos Decker returns home to find his wife and daughter murdered. Broken and living on the margins, he’s pulled back into an investigation when a mass killing in his hometown appears to connect to his family’s case. Using his extraordinary memory, Decker races to unmask a calculating killer and confronts the past that destroyed his life.
Setting: Contemporary United States, primarily the small city of Burlington, Ohio
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memory Man right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Memory Man. 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 memory and identity, grief and loss, justice vs. revenge.
How long does it take to read Memory Man?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Memory Man takes around 13h to finish. The book has 131,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Memory Man have an AR quiz?
Yes — Memory Man has an AR quiz available, worth 18 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 Memory Man?
Memory Man 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.