Annerton Pit
Peter Dickinson
Annerton Pit
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Peter Dickinson
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here's a secret: Jake can’t see, but he hears things others miss—like the mail falling with bad news. When his brother Martin’s college dreams vanish, they hop on a motorbike to find their mysterious grandfather, a ghost hunter lost in the wild north of England. But that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a blind boy and his brother as they embark on a journey to find their missing grandfather, a ghost hunter. The story explores themes of family, resilience, and adventure, set against a backdrop of supernatural mystery. Suitable for ages 9-12, it includes some mild suspense but is appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Annerton Pit 9LE
Annerton Pit is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 152 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Annerton Pit works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Annerton Pit as 9LE ("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, Annerton Pit explores friendship, family, adventure, mystery, and disability representation — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Angel Isle
Peter Dickinson
Angel Isle
Peter Dickinson
Roundhill
Dick King-Smith
Roundhill
Dick King-Smith
Kit's Wilderness
David Almond
Kit's Wilderness
David Almond
The Lion Tamer's Daughter and Other Stories
Peter Dickinson
The Lion Tamer's Daughter and Other Stories
Peter Dickinson
Ben
Anna Fergusson
Ben
Anna Fergusson
Sleep and his brother
Peter Dickinson
Sleep and his brother
Peter Dickinson
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781504002943
- Pages
- 152
- Publisher
- Open Road Media
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction