The Sum of All Fears
A High-Stakes Page-turner from the King of the Political Thriller
by Tom Clancy
Sphere 2023
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 7.8 (7th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include Cold War endgame tensions
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Genre
Themes
- nuclear terrorism
- geopolitics and diplomacy
- Cold War endgame tensions
- intelligence tradecraft
- miscommunication and escalation
- presidential leadership and crisis management
- technology and military strategy
- moral ambiguity in national security
About this book
Jack Ryan, now the CIA’s Deputy Director of Intelligence, works to broker a breakthrough Middle East peace deal even as a lost Israeli nuclear device resurfaces in terrorist hands. When the bomb is detonated on U.S. soil, miscalculation and panic push the superpowers toward catastrophe, and Ryan races to untangle the plot and avert nuclear war.
Setting: Early 1990s, primarily Washington, D.C., the Middle East, Moscow, and Denver (Super Bowl) with global intelligence and military locales
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Sum of All Fears right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Sum of All Fears. The reading level is AR 7.8, which is typical for 7th 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 nuclear terrorism, geopolitics and diplomacy, Cold War endgame tensions.
How long does it take to read The Sum of All Fears?
At a typical 7th grade reading pace, The Sum of All Fears takes around 38h to finish. The book has 400,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Sum of All Fears have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Sum of All Fears has an AR quiz available, worth 54 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 Sum of All Fears?
The Sum of All Fears has an AR reading level of 7.8, which places it at a 7th 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.