The Black Ice
by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown 2002
Book 2 of Harry Bosch
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.1 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include Drug trafficking and cartel violence
Book 2 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- Police corruption
- Drug trafficking and cartel violence
- Justice vs. institutional politics
- Moral ambiguity
- Obsession and isolation
- Identity and deception
- Cross-border crime
- Loyalty and betrayal
- Truth-seeking
About this book
LAPD detective Harry Bosch investigates the apparent suicide of a narcotics officer and uncovers links to a violent drug operation that stretches from Hollywood to the Mexican border. As Bosch follows the evidence—looking for the connective tissue rather than isolated facts—he exposes corruption, cartel ties, and a string of murders that put him squarely in the crosshairs on both sides of the line.
Setting: Los Angeles (LAPD, Hollywood) and the U.S.–Mexico border region, including Baja California towns such as Mexicali/Tijuana
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Black Ice right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Black Ice. The reading level is AR 6.1, which is typical for 6th 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 Police corruption, Drug trafficking and cartel violence, Justice vs. institutional politics. Note: this is book 2 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read The Black Ice?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, The Black Ice takes around 9.9h to finish. The book has 104,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Black Ice have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Black Ice has an AR quiz available, worth 15 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 The Black Ice?
The Black Ice has an AR reading level of 6.1, which places it at a 6th 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.