A Ghostly Business
Stephen Krensky
A Ghostly Business
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stephen Krensky
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if a city was secretly full of ghosts trying to help a greedy man take over the best land? Imagine five brave kids racing through Boston to stop them before it’s too late. Can they outsmart the spirits and save the city’s future?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows five siblings as they confront a group of ghosts aiding a questionable developer in Boston. Filled with magical and science fiction elements, it presents themes of teamwork and courage suitable for ages 9-12. The story contains mild suspense but no intense content, making it appropriate for young readers.
Why we rated A Ghostly Business 10LE
A Ghostly Business is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A Ghostly Business works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate A Ghostly Business as 10LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, A Ghostly Business explores fantasy world-building, adventure, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780844667614
- Publisher
- Peter Smith Publisher
- Published
- January 1994
- Type
- Fiction