Dark Tracks
Philippa Gregory
Dark Tracks
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Philippa Gregory
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 buzzes with strange music and the pounding rhythm of dancing feet that never seem to stop. In a village gripped by a mysterious madness, Luca and his friends must hold on to their wits as shadows of danger close in. Will they uncover the truth before the darkness takes over their world?
Quick Assessment
Set in 15th century Europe, this middle-grade historical fiction follows Luca and his companions as they investigate eerie events linked to legends and early science. The story explores themes of mystery, medieval life, and supernatural fears, with moments of peril and complex historical detail suitable for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the book includes tense situations involving madness and danger but handles them within a historical adventure context.
Why we rated Dark Tracks 11ME
Dark Tracks is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dark Tracks works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Dark Tracks 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, thematic difficulty — 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, Dark Tracks explores historical, adventure, mystery, and friendship — 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 historical, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780857077431
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Children's
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction