Boarded-Up House
Augusta Seaman
Boarded-Up House
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Augusta Seaman
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.
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About This Book
What secrets could be hiding inside the old boarded-up house? When Goliath the cat vanishes inside, Joyce and Cynthia can't help but follow. But what they find inside might change everything—what could it be?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery centers on two friends, Joyce and Cynthia, who explore an abandoned house after their cat disappears inside. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story encourages curiosity and problem-solving without intense content. It gently introduces themes of friendship and adventure within a suspenseful but age-appropriate mystery.
Why we rated Boarded-Up House 9LE
Boarded-Up House is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 100 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Boarded-Up House works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Boarded-Up House 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, Boarded-Up House explores mystery, friendship, adventure, and children's fiction — 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 mystery, friendship, 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781508491705
- Pages
- 100
- Publisher
- Createspace Independent Pub
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction