The Forgotten
by David Baldacci
Grand Central Publishing 2012
Book 11 of Animorphs
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.5 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include power and abuse of authority
Book 11 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- corruption and conspiracy
- human trafficking and exploitation
- justice vs. vigilantism
- family loyalty and grief
- power and abuse of authority
- secrets in small towns
- military professionalism and duty
- trust and betrayal
- crime investigation
- survival and resilience
About this book
Army Special Agent John Puller travels to the Gulf Coast town of Paradise, Florida, after his aunt is found dead under suspicious circumstances. As local authorities dismiss the case, Puller uncovers a web of corruption, exploitation, and organized crime lurking beneath the town’s perfect façade. The investigation turns personal and deadly as Puller digs into a conspiracy tied to human trafficking and powerful figures who will do anything to keep their secrets.
Setting: Paradise, Florida (fictional Gulf Coast town), contemporary
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Forgotten right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Forgotten. 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 corruption and conspiracy, human trafficking and exploitation, justice vs. vigilantism. Note: this is book 11 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read The Forgotten?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Forgotten takes around 12h to finish. The book has 115,326 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Forgotten have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Forgotten 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 The Forgotten?
The Forgotten 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.