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The 6:20 Man book cover

The 6:20 Man

A Thriller

by David Baldacci

Grand Central Publishing 2022

Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade

Reading level 5.3 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+

5th grade English Fiction
411
Pages
16
AR Points
12h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Thriller (financial/corporate suspense)

Themes

  • corporate corruption
  • greed and power
  • conspiracy
  • class inequality and wealth
  • surveillance and secrets
  • moral ambiguity
  • justice versus loyalty
  • military past and PTSD
  • whistleblowing
  • identity and reinvention

About this book

Former Army Ranger Travis Devine, now an entry-level analyst at a powerful Manhattan investment firm, is pulled into a colleague’s suspicious death and a web of Wall Street corruption, greed, and murder as he rides the 6:20 train into a life he thought he wanted—until it turns deadly.

Setting: Contemporary New York City—Manhattan’s high-finance world and the suburban commuter corridor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The 6:20 Man right for my child?

It depends — here's what to consider for The 6:20 Man. The reading level is AR 5.3, 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 corporate corruption, greed and power, conspiracy.

How long does it take to read The 6:20 Man?

At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The 6:20 Man takes around 12h to finish. The book has 120,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does The 6:20 Man have an AR quiz?

Yes — The 6:20 Man has an AR quiz available, worth 16 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 6:20 Man?

The 6:20 Man has an AR reading level of 5.3, 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.