Locked On
by Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney
Penguin 2012
Book 14 of Ryanverse
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.8 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Book 14 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- espionage and intelligence tradecraft
- counterterrorism
- political intrigue and elections
- family legacy and loyalty
- covert operations and moral ambiguity
- patriotism and duty
- media manipulation and disinformation
- nuclear proliferation and brinkmanship
- corruption within institutions
- friendship and trust under fire
About this book
As Jack Ryan Sr. mounts a return bid for the presidency, his son Jack Ryan Jr. and the black-ops team at the Campus chase a terrorist network with roots inside Pakistan’s security services—while a ruthless foe of Jack Sr. wages a personal vendetta that frames John Clark and threatens to destroy the Ryans. The dual fronts—one political, one covert—collide in a global race to stop a nuclear-triggering conspiracy and clear Clark’s name.
Setting: Contemporary (early 2010s); Washington, D.C.; Pakistan and India; Russia; Europe; global covert-operation hotspots
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Locked On right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Locked On. The reading level is AR 6.8, 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 espionage and intelligence tradecraft, counterterrorism, political intrigue and elections. Note: this is book 14 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read Locked On?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Locked On takes around 20h to finish. The book has 205,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Locked On have an AR quiz?
Yes — Locked On has an AR quiz available, worth 34 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 Locked On?
Locked On has an AR reading level of 6.8, 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.