Personal
A Jack Reacher Novel
by Lee Child
Bantam 2014
Book 19 of Jack Reacher
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.5 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include violence and its consequences
Book 19 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- justice vs. vengeance
- manhunt and pursuit
- lone-wolf heroism
- loyalty and trust
- moral ambiguity
- conspiracy and cover-ups
- tradecraft and surveillance
- violence and its consequences
About this book
When an attempt is made on the French president’s life by a sniper shooting from extreme range, Jack Reacher is pulled back into a deadly game. The shortlist of people capable of such a shot includes John Kott, a former U.S. Army marksman Reacher once put behind bars—and Kott has just been released. With a G8 summit looming and world leaders gathering, Reacher partners with rookie analyst Casey Nice to trace Kott across Europe. From Paris to the criminal underworld of London, Reacher navigates double-crosses, gun-for-hire networks, and international intrigue to stop a master marksman before he strikes again.
Setting: Contemporary Europe, primarily Paris, France, and London, England, with ties to U.S. military backstory
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Personal right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Personal. The reading level is AR 5.5, 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 justice vs. vengeance, manhunt and pursuit, lone-wolf heroism. Note: this is book 19 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read Personal?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Personal takes around 12h to finish. The book has 118,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Personal have an AR quiz?
Yes — Personal has an AR quiz available, worth 17 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 Personal?
Personal has an AR reading level of 5.5, 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.