City of Ghosts
V. E. Schwab
City of Ghosts
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by V. E. Schwab
The text is written at a 7th 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
I have a secret: Cass can see ghosts because she once drowned and came back to life. Now, she explores haunted castles and eerie graveyards in Edinburgh, where the spirits are more alive than ever. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
City of Ghosts by V. E. Schwab follows Cass, a girl who can see and interact with spirits after a near-death experience. Set in Edinburgh, this middle-grade novel blends mystery, supernatural elements, and friendship, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Themes include ghost stories and self-discovery, with some spooky scenes but no graphic content.
Why we rated City of Ghosts 12LE
City of Ghosts is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, City of Ghosts works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate City of Ghosts as 12LE ("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, City of Ghosts explores ghost stories, friendship, adventure, supernatural, and self-discovery — 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 ghost stories, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338111033
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction