Class
A. K. Benedict
Class
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The stone house
by A. K. Benedict
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The air is thick with the musty scent of old stone and creeping cobwebs, and every creak of the house feels like a whisper of secrets best left alone. Tanya's dreams are filled with a girl trapped inside, screaming for help, and the shadows around Coal Hill School grow darker with every step they take toward that haunted place. What if the house isn’t just scary—it’s alive, and it’s waiting for them to never leave?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel blends horror and fantasy as Tanya and her friends confront terrifying nightmares made real in an old, haunted house near their school. Written by Patrick Ness, it explores themes of fear, bravery, and friendship, suitable for readers aged 9-12 who enjoy spooky stories. Parents should note the presence of suspenseful and eerie moments, though the content remains appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Class 11ME
Class is written at a Level 6 reading level across 261 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Class works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Class as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Class explores horror stories, friendship, fantasy world-building, and adventure — 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 horror stories, friendship, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062666178
- Pages
- 261
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction